Abstract
For a ketogenic diet to be effective, strict control of carbohydrate intake is paramount. Factors such as medications may upset this delicate balance. The aim of this commentary is to provide physicians who are treating patients with a ketogenic diet, with a step-by-step guide. A list of unsuitable excipients was established. A flowchart with the title “Can this drug be prescribed to a patient following a ketogenic diet?” was then drafted. The first step is to determine the international nonproprietary name, dosage, form and composition. The amount of unsuitable excipients is calculated. Suitable alternatives may be discussed with the pharmacist. As a last resort, the ketogenic diet itself may need to be adapted. The answers provided are included in a database. Determining the amount of unsuitable excipients is a complex task requiring pharmaceutical expertise. Our flowchart can be used in order to provide a clear pathway for answering such questions.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the members of the multidisciplinary team in Nancy University Regional Teaching Hospital, including the pediatricians, dieticians and pharmacists, who are all involved in the management of patients on a ketogenic diet. Thanks to Dr. Helen Mecili for her English language corrections.
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Nisse, YE., Robert, S., Menetre, S. et al. Ketogenic diet: a pharmaceutical guide for the management of drug therapy in the pediatric population. Int J Clin Pharm 42, 326–330 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-020-01013-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-020-01013-4