At What Age Can Children Start Taking Tablet/Capsule/Caplet/Pill

Caplet/capsule/tablet

Most parents are scared of giving solid dosage forms to their children. These include tablet, capsule, caplets (pill). To them, these are adult dosage forms.

They may be right to some extent. Newborn babies to neonates and toddlers takes only liquid food. That is because they can digest it easily without stress. As they grow older, their digestive system develop to the point of digesting semi-solid food. No longer than that, they can eat solid food. Children drugs come in different formulation to each age grade. There is oral pediatric drop, suspense, syrups and dispersible tablets.

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While most adults can conveniently take solid dosage forms like tablets, capsules, caplets, etc, children cannot take these drugs. But there is a question that is disturbing many parents. They don't know at what age children can be considered adults capable of taking tablets, capsules, caplets, etc. without side effects.

Children Age And Dosage Form

Newborn babies and toddlers can use oral pediatric drops. These drops are more of solution. This is easy for them to swallow and digest. There are no particles that can stick at the throat of the child. Also, and most importantly, the dose is always accurate. It is usually for children below one years of age.
Suspensions and syrups can also be given to infant and toddler but more difficult to swallow. Many toddlers may find it hard to swallow the thick fluid down their throats. Also, the dose can vary a little depending on how it was administered. And a little dose variation is enough to cause a major problem in infants. For example, most syrups and suspensions can settle on long standing and failure on the part of the giver to shake before administration will either reduce the dose or increase it. This can be given to children from day one to adult.
Dispersible tablet are gaining ground as dosage form suitable for children. They are tablets that dissolve into a solution on adding a solvent such as water. It is suitable for children from day one to adult.

Advantages Of Children Dosage Form

1. Easy to swallow
2. Mostly flavour
3. Dose flexibility for different ages

Disadvantages Of Children Dosage Form

1. Very expensive compared to adult dose
2. Unstable with short expiry date except dispersible tablet

At What Age Can Children Take Solid Dosage Form

The dose for adult is usually higher than that of children. The dosage form is usually tablet, caplets or capsules. These dosage form do not usually come in low strength for children. Many parents in other to scale down the adult dose to the age of the child cuts up adult tablet. For example, if a child is prescribed 125mg paracetamol, ¹/4 of a 500mg paracetamol tablet gives 125mg.
The above scenario should be done with a big caution. Not all tablet, caplets or capsules are suitable for cutting or dividing. Dividing coated tablets or caplets will break the coating if any and the purpose it was coated is defeated. This can be the taste masking coating, sustained release coating, etc. Also, there is no guarantee an equal half of a drug contains equal amount of the active. This is due to slight manufacturing defect which can be dangerous. Some corners of a caplet, or tablet may contain more or less of the active compared to the other parts. This can lead to overdosing or under dosing which is a potentially dangerous situation in children.
Dissolving a tablet, capsule, caplets in a solvent for children to drink may render the drug inactive or otherwise if the solvent impact on the activity of the drug. Also, they may not properly dissolve in the solvent. Those solid remnant may not properly digest in a toddler. And given half tablet to a toddler because you can force it down the throat is dangerous. The reason below explain it all.
Also, there are times an adult dose may also be suitable for a child. However, if the dose is in a dosage form that is tablet, caplets or capsules, it call for caution too. Not every child can swallow. The dosage form should not be too big to choke the child. The shape is still another thing to consider as some are easier to swallow than others. And if the dosage form is not coated and or a special formulation, it is possible to crush it, dissolve in a suitable solvent before giving the child.
Read Also: Standard Children Dose Can Be Wrong
There is no scientific approve age for giving adult dosage form to children. There are some that believe children should not be given adult dosage form such as tablet, capsules or caplets until they are up to 12 years of age. Some others are also of the school of thought that 6 years is enough for a child to be introduced to adult dosage form.
Well according to Tony Nina on 'age-appropriate formulation pediatric needs,' and supported by the world health organization (WHO) the following should serve as a guide when using dosage form for children.
Age                 Dosage Form
Baby               Drops
1 year             liquid/melt
6 year             liquid/melt/tablet/capsule
12 years         Tablet/capsule
Adolescent    Tablet/capsule
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