Introduction:

Phenylketonuria is the most common inherited disorder of amino acid metabolism and its management usually focuses on diets restricted in phenylalanine, an amino acid present in the sweetener aspartame commonly used as an excipient in pharmaceutical technology.

Objective:

The main objective is the review of non-prescription medicines marketed in Spain until March 2023 and that contain aspartame in their composition.

Methods:

A review of all medicines marketed in Spain containing aspartame was carried out in the BOT plus database. Only MSRs were selected. The data sheets were consulted at the AEMPS online medicines information centre (CIMA), and the data obtained were recorded in a table.

Results:

570 medicines were obtained; 58 were MSRs. When there is a request for MSRs with aspartame in patients with phenylketonuria, in the SIF, after evaluation, in 100% of the cases, the pharmacist applying the Pharmaceutical Indication Service could indicate an alternative MSR, with the same active ingredient but without aspartame as an excipient.

Conclusions:

The action of the community pharmacist to apply the SIF is very important in patients with phenylketonuria. There are medicines that do not require a prescription and can be prescribed for these patients. Pharmacists should have the necessary tools at their disposal to facilitate the SIF with this type of patient.

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