Flavor: The Science of Compliance

Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry…alfalfa? Everyone has their favorite flavor. That goes for animals too! Which flavor animals prefer is determined in part by their natural diets. Domesticated animals and pets often acquire additional taste preference as a result of living with their human caregivers.

Flavoring an unpleasant medication to increase palatability and compliance is one of the primary indications for compounding for animals. A readily accepted medication can improve clinical outcomes and reduce stress for both patients and owners.

The word flavor refers to a mix of sensations including taste, touch, smell, sight and even sound (as Pavlov proved with his dogs). The four primary tastes are sweet, bitter, sour and salty. Taste depends in part on the ions that are produced in the mouth, but other sensations also play a role. The taste of a substance can be altered by temperature and concentration. The chemical structure of commonly used flavors varies. There is a close relationship between chemical structure and taste. Solubility, the degree of ionization and the type of ions produced in the saliva influence the brains interpretation of taste. For example, sour taste is caused by hydrogen ions. Saltiness is due to the simultaneous presence of both anions and cations such as potassium bromide. High molecular weight salts may have a bitter taste. Tastes perceived as sweet are due to polyhydroxy compounds, polyhalogenated aliphatic compounds and alpha-amino acids. Sweetness increases with the number of hydroxyl groups. Free bases such as alkaloids and amides give a bitter taste. Synthetic flavors available to compounding pharmacists are generally used for compounding. They offer the aroma and flavor of the natural product, but with the added desirable properties of stability, consistent quality and relatively low cost.

When selecting a flavor for disguising the taste of medications there are several methods. One method is blending, or adding flavors that blend with the chemicals natural taste. For instance, adding fruit flavors to a sour tasting medication or blending with salt to reduce the sourness and increase sweetness.

Another method, overshadowing, is the addition of a flavor whose intensity is stronger and longer than the unpalatable taste. A third method is physically changing the offending drug, such as the formulation of insoluble compounds. An example would be metronidazole benzoate, the tasteless insoluble salt of the very bitter drug metronidazole. Lastly, some flavors like mint or menthol are added to anesthetize the tongue. Multiple methods are often employed, especially when flavoring an extremely unpleasant taste. Most flavors are enhanced by sweetening, and the compounding pharmacist must also select the appropriate natural or artificial sweetener.

Mouth feel is also important. Gritty and chalky would be unpleasant sensations. Smooth, creamy, and in the case of many cats and dogs, oily consistencies are more pleasant. The choice of vehicle also influences the final product taste. Suspensions, especially those made with xanthan gum or other mucilaginous agents can improve taste by forming a colloidal protective coating over the taste buds. The final important consideration is chemical compatibility between flavoring agents and active ingredients insuring the stability of the final preparation.

Pulling it all together with both the science and the art of flavoring, the compounding pharmacist can "help to make the medicine go down"

Available flavors

***For custom flavors, please contact a customer care specialist at 800.331.8272. Turn-around time for custom flavors may be up to 7 to 10 days.***

The information contained on this site is general in nature and is intended for use as an informational aid. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of the products shown, nor is the information intended as medical advice or diagnosis for individual health problems or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of using a particular product. You should consult your doctor about diagnosis and treatment of any health problems. Information and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), nor has the FDA approved the products to diagnose, cure or prevent disease.

Wedgewood compounded veterinary preparations are not intended for use in food and food-producing animals.

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