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‘Poppy seeds’ in stomach aspirates: is oral omeprazole extemporaneous dispersion bioavailable?

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Abstract

We report the appearance of ‘poppy seed’-like structures found in the aspirated stomach contents and faeces of a 3-month-old infant receiving an omeprazole liquid via nasogastric tube, prepared by dispersing an omeprazole tablet (10 mg MUPS®) in water. Electron microscopy and mass spectroscopy indicated that these particles were hollow, dark purple coloured spheres comprising undissolved omeprazole and its degradation products. These observations suggest rapid degradation of omeprazole in the acid stomach contents, with compromised absorption of active drug. Consequently, dispersion of omeprazole in water may be an inappropriate formulation in this setting.

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Acknowledgements

We thank William Griffiths and Emmanuel Samuel for undertaking mass spectroscopy and the PICU Nursing staff for their support in this investigation.

Competing interests

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutics, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29–39 Brunswick Square, London, UK

    Catherine Tuleu & Kevin M. G. Taylor

  2. Centre for Paediatric Pharmacy Research, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29–39 Brunswick Square, London, UK

    Catherine Tuleu

  3. Pharmacy Department, Evelina Children’s Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    Sara Arenas-Lopez & Chris Robinson

  4. Electron Microscopy Unit, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29–39 Brunswick Square, London, UK

    David McCarthy

  5. Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Evelina Children’s Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    Richard I. J. Paget & Shane Tibby

  6. The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29–39 Brunswick Square, London, UK

    Catherine Tuleu

Authors
  1. Catherine Tuleu
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  2. Sara Arenas-Lopez
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  3. Chris Robinson
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  4. David McCarthy
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  5. Richard I. J. Paget
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  6. Shane Tibby
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  7. Kevin M. G. Taylor
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Correspondence to Catherine Tuleu.

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Tuleu, C., Arenas-Lopez, S., Robinson, C. et al. ‘Poppy seeds’ in stomach aspirates: is oral omeprazole extemporaneous dispersion bioavailable?. Eur J Pediatr 167, 823–825 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-007-0567-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-007-0567-z

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