Peanut butter-based formulations of amoxicillin for pediatric applications

Abstract

Background: Child mortality is a major global health challenge, especially in regions of limited resources. Accessibility to lifesaving medicine and adequate nutrition is essential to reduce child mortality and improve the health and well-being of the world's most vulnerable children.

Methods: We have developed NutMox, a novel pediatric formulation of the β-lactam antibiotic amoxicillin in a matrix of peanut-based ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) consisting of peanut butter, sugar, vegetable oil, dry milk and vitamins. NutMox is ready to use and thermostable, requires no chewing or pill swallowing and provides both an antibiotic and nutrition.

Results: Amoxicillin in NutMox formulations was stable for at least 12 months at storage temperatures of 4°C, 25°C and 37°C. Amoxicillin formulated in NutMox displayed similar pharmacokinetics in mice to that in suspension.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrated the feasibility of a peanut butter-based matrix for pediatric formulations of amoxicillin, suggesting that such a matrix can serve as a base for delivering medications in addition to its current use as an RUTF.

Keywords: amoxicillin; antibiotic; child-friendly; formulation; peanut butter; pneumonia.