1998 Volume 58 Issue 1 Pages 46-51
Lollipops of clonidine hydrochloride, an α2-adrenergic agonist, for the preanesthetic medication of pediatric patients were prepared using the drug, sucrose and starch syrup. The lollipops were designed to contain 10 μg/g of clonidine hydrochloride, and made of 2,3 and 5 g formulations. The lollipops were also prepared at different composition ratios of sucrose and starch syrup. Three different commercial products of the starch syrup, with various water contents, were used. The coefficient of variation of clonidine hydrochloride content in the lollipops was 1.2%. Good content uniformity was shown. In the clinical examination, 14 patients, aged 2-7 yr and weighing 10-26.2 kg, each received a lollipop with approximately 2 μg/kg clonidine hydrochloride 90 min before entering the operating room. All patients were willing to accept the lollipop. The quality of separation from parents and a mask acceptance was improved in approximately 50% of the patients.
