A Mild Winter Still Doesn't Stop the Flu: FLAVORx Helps Make the Season More Bearable
Despite warmer weather in much of the United States, flu season has still managed to remain prevalent. The season often peaks in February in the US, but may peak any time between December through May. Medications to treat and prevent the flu can be safely and easily flavored with the addition of FLAVORx to increase medicinal compliance and reduce infectious spread.
Bethesda, MD (PRWEB) February 27, 2007 -- Meterologists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association predicted that this year's winter weather would likely be warmer over much of the nation. Despite what many have experienced thus far as unseasonably warm winter weather, as of February 17th, 2007, 24 states across the US reported widespread flu activity. Medications to prevent the flu such as Tamiflu and Flumadine, as well as medications to treat symptoms such as decongestants, cough suppressants and analgesics, are often popular this time of year to relieve the burden of the season. However, as many know, the taste of a medication alone can sometimes be just as bad as the symptoms. Improving the palatability of medications with the addition of FLAVORx not only eliminates the struggle associated with bad-tasting medications, but also improves compliance to reduce infectious spread and the emergence of drug-resistant strains.
Current reports show influenza-like illness activity above the baseline level for the 9th week this season. In addition, the reporting of widespread of regional influenza activity increased from 33 states during the week of February 4-10, 2007, to 38 states during the week of February 11-17, 2007. Surveillance data show that most flu outbreaks for the 2006/2007 flu season have occurred among children. The CDC also estimates that children are 2-3 times more likely than adults to get sick with the flu, and more frequently spread the virus to others. During the month of January, reports from pharmacies showed that flavoring of Tamiflu with FLAVORx increased significantly, comprising roughly 10% of the prescriptions flavored; the bulk of flavoring still monopolized by antibiotics such as Augmentin and Amoxicillin.
Because children are high-risk both for contracting and spreading the flu, successful treatment is imperative not only to individual health, but public health as a whole. Improving the taste of a medication can increase medicinal compliance rates in children dramatically. Better taste and smell increase a child's willingness to take and finish a medication regimen. Studies also show that by offering a child a choice in the flavor of their medication also improves compliance because they are motivated by their personal contribution in the treatment program.
Compliance in pediatric patients can often be as low as 50%, resulting in the need for additional doctor/hospital visits, treatment failures, higher total costs of care and increased potential for bacterial resistance. The addition of flavoring has been shown to increase compliance in pediatric patients to over 90%, as well as improve quality of life scores dramatically. Flavoring of over-the-counter medications also reduces infectious spread because children are able to swallow medications that will help curb symptoms such as sneezing and coughing.
Flavoring of prescription medications with FLAVORx can be done at almost all major pharmacies throughout the US. Pharmacists follow a specific formulary to mask the medication's existing taste and convert it to a flavor of the patient's choice. At-home flavoring of over-the-counter medications and other liquids can soon be done with the FLAVORx home flavoring kit, FLAVORiT. The kit will be available over-the-counter to consumers beginning March 1st at Wal-Mart stores nationwide.
For more information, please visit www.flavorx.com or contact Teresa Chen at 800.884.5771 extension 234.
About FLAVORx
FLAVORx is a pharmaceutical flavoring system used by pharmacists and veterinarians nationwide to improve the palatability of liquid over-the-counter and prescription medications. To date, FLAVORx has flavored over 40 million prescriptions without any incidence of allergy, adverse reaction or changes in efficacy. FLAVORx flavors are non-allergenic, dye-free, sugar-free, phosphate-free and alcohol-free, making them safe for all patients.
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