Using Bitter Taste Receptor Blockers to Improve the Palatability of Pediatric Medicines

Inclusion criteria

• Between the ages of 18 and 60;
• Generally healthy by self-report;
• All races/ethnicities, both men and women;
• Able to provide informed consent;
• Able to attend repeated visits to Monell for sensory testing;
• Willing to follow instructions (e.g., refrain from eating or drinking for at least 1 hour before sessions, willing to remain on site for one hour after tasting an API that the participant has never tasted before). -

Exclusion criteria

• Under 18 or over 60;
• Pregnant, nursing, or plans to become pregnant;
• Unable to provide consent (including limited ability to understand written and spoken English);
• Tobacco, vape, marijuana, or tetrahydrocannabinol cartridge users. We will accept people who have used tobacco or marijuana products on occasion, but not regular users;
• Known drug or food allergies of any kind;
• Diabetes or other metabolic disorder;
• Liver issues of any kind, including viral hepatitis;
• Kidney issues of any kind;
• Other chronic illness, including cardiovascular, neurological, immune disorders, or any other serious acute or chronic condition
• Dentures or other major dental implants;
• Condition affecting the oral cavity, including dry mouth, burning mouth syndrome, active sores or blisters, geographic tongue, or other disorders
• Current infection or cold, flu, or infection with SARS-CoV-2 within the last four weeks;
• Unable to taste or smell
• Daily use, or use within the last four weeks, of either prescription or over-the-counter medications (except for birth control)
• History of tuberculosis (including latent tuberculosis), positive skin or other tuberculosis test at any time in the past, birth in or residence in a country with high tuberculosis rates, known contact with someone who is tuberculosis positive
• HIV infection