Evaluation of the warming sensation, acceptability, and local tolerability of an acetylcysteine oral solution containing the flavoring agent IFF flavor 316282 in the treatment of productive cough

Objective: This open-label study sought to evaluate the warming sensation produced by IFF flavor 316282 in an acetylcysteine oral solution in subjects with productive cough. Materials: 2% acetylcysteine oral solution (200 mg per 10 mL) containing IFF flavor 316282. Methods: Subjects (N = 57; mean age 38.7 years; 58% female) with a productive cough lasting < 7 days and rated as mild to moderate in severity received 10 mL of study product. Warming sensation intensity was assessed using a 100-mm visual analog scale, its onset and duration using stopwatches, its acceptability using a 9-point scale (from “dislike extremely” to “like extremely”) and the taste, texture, and overall acceptability of the solution using 5-point scales (from “unacceptable” to “excellent”). Results: 53 (93.0%) subjects perceived a warming sensation within 10 minutes of swallowing the solution; median onset was ~ 14 seconds, and median duration was ~ 2.8 minutes. Warming sensation intensity increased from baseline by a mean of 29.2 mm when evaluated 60 seconds after ingestion. 30 subjects (52.6%) thought the warming sensation was “just about right”; 25 (43.9%) considered it “too weak” or “much too weak.” Most subjects had positive overall ratings (“fair,” “good,” or “excellent”) of the taste (79.0%), texture (96.5%), and solution (91.2%). No treatment-emergent adverse events were reported, and no evidence of oral mucosal irritation was found. Conclusion: The addition of IFF flavor 316282 to a 2% acetylcysteine oral solution produced a warming sensation with rapid onset and relatively short duration, which the majority of subjects found acceptable.