Erosive and cariogenic potential of pediatric anti-histaminic medicines

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate in vitro the endogenous pH, ti- tratable acidity, total soluble solids content (TSSC) and total sugars of pediatric anti-histaminic medicines pre- sented as syrups. Methods: Five medicines were evalua- ted by a random experiment with 3 repetitions for each sample. pH analysis was performed by potentiometry and buffering capacity was assessed by dilution of each medicine. Increments of 0.1 N KOH were titrated until neutrality was reached. TSSC readings were performed by Brix refractometry using the Abbé refractometer. Re- sults: pH values ranged from 3.33 (loratadina) to 6.84 (agasten) and four medicines showed pH below the cri- tical value of 5.5. The titratable acidity values ranged from 0.30 (dexametasona) to 2.41 (maleato de desclo- feniramina). Dexametasona presented the lowest TSSC content (13.25%) and maleato de dexclorfeniramina presented the highest TSSC content (63.66%). Regar- ding to total sugars values ranged from 24.80% (lorata- dina) to 49.34% (maleato de dexclorfeniramina). Con- clusion: The anti-histaminic medicines evaluated have a high erosive and cariogenic potential, as they present low pH and a high total soluble solids content.