DRUG COMPLIANCE OF CHILDREN AND INFANTS WITH ORAL ANTIBIOTICS FOR PEDIATRIC USE

Many oral antibiotics recently available for pediatric use are palatab le and easier for children to take owing to the manufacturer's endeavo r to improve the preparations. Quite a few drugs, however, still have some problems because they contain bitter active ingredients such as e ster-type beta-lactams and new macrolides. In the present paper, the c urrent status of physicians' prescriptions are discussed, together wit h the guardians' contrivances for giving prescribed drugs to children and infants, and the drug compliance of pediatric patients. They are d iscussed in relation to the palatability or internal acceptability of the drugs, which is as important as the drug efficacy and safety. Also discussed are the physicians' countermeasures and guidance to cope wi th the drug non-compliance of pediatric patients.