Low-dose erythromycin in pediatrics: Formulation and stability of 20 mg hard gelatin capsules.

Objective: Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that is also prescribed off-label in premature neonates as a prokinetic agent. There is no oral formulation with dosage and/or excipients adapted for these high-risk patients.

Methods: Clinical studies of erythromycin as a prokinetic agent were reviewed.

Pre-formulation and Stability Study of 20-mcg Clonidine Hydrochloride Pediatric Capsules.

Objective: Clonidine hydrochloride is an antihypertensive, centrally acting α2 adrenergic agonist with various pediatric indications. For pediatric patients, 20-mcg clonidine hydrochloride capsules can be compounded from commercial tablets or from a pre-compounded titrated powder. These methods should be compared to ensure the best quality for the high-risk patients, and a beyond-use date should be established.

Stability Studies of Fludrocortisone Acetate Capsules and Fludrocortisone Acetate Titrated Powders (Powder Triturates).

Fludrocortisone acetate is a drug used to treat adrenal insufficiencies which can be prescribed to hospitalized or ambulatory pediatric patients at dosages not commercially available. For these patients, 10-µg fludrocortisone capsules are currently compounded from a pre-compounded titrated powder (powder triturate). Fludrocortisone stability studies were carried out to ensure a valid beyond-use date.

Beyond-Use Dates Assignment for Pharmaceutical Preparations: Example of Low-Dose Amiodarone Capsules.

Beyond-use dates (BUDs) in compounding practice are assigned from stability studies. The United States Pharmacopoeia (USP 42 NF 37) suggested to assign a 6 months BUD for dry oral forms. A new pediatric formula of amiodarone capsules was implemented in our hospital, with 3 dosages (5 mg, 20 mg, and 50 mg).