Prior administration of chocolate improves the palatability of bitter drugs: The Choc-with-Med study

The paediatric population has a low adherence and acceptance rate of unpalatable medicines. This study aimed to determine whether eating chocolate immediately prior to drug administration would help to mask the bitter taste of a drug. The difference in taste masking efficacy between white, milk and dark chocolate was a secondary measure outcome.

Citation:
Truong S, Tang EKY, Khan RN, Nguyen MN, von Ungern Sternberg BS, Yeo AWY, et al. Prior administration of chocolate improves the palatability of bitter drugs: The Choc-with-Med study. J Paediatr Child Health. 2021;57(8):1267-73.

Keywords:
Chocolate: Taste-masking, taste trial, bitterness; clindamycin; flucloxacillin; quinine

Abstract:
The paediatric population has a low adherence and acceptance rate of unpalatable medicines. This study aimed to determine whether eating chocolate immediately prior to drug administration would help to mask the bitter taste of a drug. The difference in taste masking efficacy between white, milk and dark chocolate was a secondary measure outcome.