Minitablets: Enhancing Safety And Palatability For Pediatric Medicines

Technological advances in minitablet (MT) manufacturing, along with a growing understanding of their swallowability and palatability in children, are driving increased interest in MTs as a preferred pediatric dosage form. While MTs offer significant advantages in dosing flexibility, patient acceptance, and compliance, their production presents unique technical and scale-up challenges that require specialized expertise. At the same time, regulatory agencies in the United States and Europe now require drug developers to address the specific needs of pediatric populations, prompting a shift away from adult-centric formulations.

These evolving regulations have accelerated demand for versatile, age-appropriate dosage forms suitable for children ranging from infants to adolescents. Minitablets have emerged as a promising solution, enabled by improvements in manufacturing equipment and formulation science. Their small size supports ease of swallowing, while formulation approaches can enhance palatability, improving adherence in young patients. As interest in pediatric-focused drug development continues to grow, minitablets represent an effective strategy for both new product development and lifecycle management initiatives.