Work

Off‐Label Manipulation of Paediatric Medication Remains a Challenge in Clinical Practice: An Observational Study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: AIM: The aim was to observe the methods used for off-label manipulation of medication on Norwegian paediatric wards. METHODS: This prospective observational study used a digital form to collect information on how medicine was manipulated on five paediatric wards in four university and local hospitals, from October 2023 to May 2024. RESULTS: We observed 31 off-label manipulations over 41 days. Tablets were the most frequently manipulated dosage form (71%). All tablets were manipulated by dispersing them in water, either to ease administration or to extract a partial paediatric dose. The tablets were dispersed whole or after splitting or crushing them. Most partial doses from tablets were difficult to achieve by splitting alone, as they were outside of half or quarter doses. There did not appear to be a standard routine for how to manipulate tablets, even when they had the same active pharmaceutical ingredients and target doses. Manipulation methods used did not always follow the available guidelines. Potentially hazardous medication was sometimes manipulated without adequate safety measures. CONCLUSION: The way that medication was manipulated varied and did not always follow the available guidelines. Safety procedures were not always followed when manipulating tablets.

Source: Acta Paediatrica

DOI: 10.1111/apa.70523

Authors: Randi Hamre Svendsen, Jennifer K. N. Andersen, Sofia Kälvemark Sporrong, Yvonne Andersson, Ingunn Tho

Institutions: University of Oslo, Uppsala University

Language: English

Topic: Pharmaceutical studies and practices

Subfield: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,480