Children’s preferences among six novel moxifloxacin and linezolid-dispersible tablet formulations

• DOI: 10.5588/ijtldopen.24.0546
• Publication Date: 2025-04-10T04:31:16Z
• Authors: G. Hoddinott; H.R. Draper; N. Vanqa; S. Myeni; S. Staples; T. Sachs; M. Raffique; N. Tshethu; M. Palmer; L. Viljoen; K. Inabathina; R. Taneja; A.C. Hesseling; A.J. Garcia-Prats
• Keywords: Linezolid

Moxifloxacin (MFX) and linezolid (LZD) are key components of rifampicin-resistant TB treatment regimens. Currently, available dispersible tablet formulations both drugs have poor palatability in children. We evaluated children's preferences for more child-friendly from two generic manufacturers. This was a randomised, cross-sectional 'swish-and-spit' taste panel study at sites South Africa. Each manufacturer created three flavour-blend variants each drug. Healthy child volunteers 5-17 years old were sampled stratified by age, sex, ethnic group completed preference rank-ordering five acceptability 5-point Likert scales. explored the blends' using summary, comparative, ranking statistics. Ninety-seven 96 children contributed data MFX LZD drug blends, respectively. For manufacturers' Friedman test showed had statistically significant novel options over Existing blend (Q(2) = 24,937; P < 0.001, Q(2) 21.213; respectively). Even most preferred sub-optimal acceptability, especially one manufacturer. Children did not clear blends. These findings influenced or group. across broad age spectrum can provide meaningful input on formulations. Novel formulation blends recommended development, but remains suboptimal.