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Question

Posted on: June 14 2017

How can you process L-arginine in a syrup?

Handicapped child takes 500mg of L-arginine per day against fever repel. We first made capsules for the patient (very difficult to take for the child) but then switched to syrup form. But the child starts to gagging systematically when the syrup is only placed near the mouth. Mother has tried to open capsule and dissolve in little grenadine syrup. Administering to the child is successful, but the grenadine immediately turns black after adding L-arginine. Mama is afraid that this is an oxidation reaction and wonders if this is harmful. Anyone have any idea what reaction this may be and whether the L-arginine is still working or how it can be properly processed.

Answer

Give a statement to the discoloration with grenadine is very difficult because we usually have to do with a very complex system of all sorts of chemical compounds.

At a German university, a thesis was made on the administration of arginine. It is clear that preference is given to solid forms like e.g. granules, pellets...

Granulate Preparation in the pharmacy is a not impossible operation but requires a bit of experience and certain equipment. Not so sophisticated (a not too fine sieve) but usually not present in the pharmacy. In the kitchen?  

There is also the possibility to prepare a solution. In the thesis is opted for a 10% arginine HCl solution. Various compositions were tested. The next was finally pushed forward;   Arginine HCl 10%, Na2EDTA 0.1%, sucralose 0.05%, cherry syrup 10%  , honey 5%, banana aroma 0.02% and water up to 100 ml.  

The pH of the solution is set to 6.5.

Other excipients, which could still qualify, are: Appelsien aroma (maybe Orange blossom?; can also be orange peel if the solution tastes bitter)

Can sucralose   (200 à 300 x sugar) be replaced by another sweetener if after saccharin   or aspartame?? We need to avoid incompatibilities + against-and consequently we prefer aspartame (150 X sugar)      

Sucralose has the big advantage of not being ionogen. But maybe also just sugar syrup   or sorbitol 70% non-crystallizable e.g. for 50%   usable  ?  

Store in the refrigerator