The bad taste of medicines: overview of basic research on bitter taste.

摘要: Background: Many active pharmaceutical ingredients taste bitter and thus are aversive to children as well many adults. Encapsulation of the medicine in pill or tablet form, an effective method for adults avoid unpleasant taste, is problematic children. cannot will not swallow solid dose forms. Objective: This review highlights basic principles gustatory function, with a special focus on science derived from studies animal models human psychophysics. We set genes that encode proteins function receptors cascade events leads multidimensional aspects highlighting role played these discoveries. also summarize psychophysical approaches studying adult pediatric populations, evidence similarities differences perception acceptance between drawing useful strategies models. Results: Medicine often tastes bitter, because more bitter-sensitive than adults, this creates problems compliance. Bitter arises stimulating receptor cells, signals processed bud relayed brain. However, there gaps our understanding how best measure bitterness ameliorate it, including whether it efficiently addressed at level sensory signaling, central processing, by masking techniques. All methods measuring responsiveness ligands —in through psychophysics “electronic tongues”—have limitations. Conclusions: Better-tasting medications may enhance adherence drug therapy. Sugars, acids, salt, other substances reduce perceived several pharmaceuticals, although pleasant flavorings help consume some medicines, they suppressing tastes. Further development tools us better understand their worlds. Multiple testing refine assess compliance various populations. Research involving models, which system can be invasively manipulated, elucidate mechanisms, ultimately providing potential targets. These approaches, combined new technologies guided findings clinical studies, potentially lead ways (Clin Ther. 2013;35:1225–1246) & 2013 Elsevier HS Jour