Flavorings (Natural or Artificial)

Flavorings (Natural or Artificial) in Medications

Flavorings (Natural or Artificial): A Common Pharmaceutical Ingredient
Flavorings (natural or artificial) are used in medications to improve taste, especially in oral liquids, chewables, or dispersible forms.
They do not treat medical conditions, but they play an important role in patient compliance and palatability.

What Are Flavorings (Natural or Artificial)?

Flavorings are compounds added to mask bitter or unpleasant tastes of active ingredients. Natural flavorings come from plant/animal sources; artificial ones are synthetic but mimic natural tastes. In pharmaceuticals, they are selected for safety, stability, and regulatory approval. It may appear under several ingredient names on medication labels.

Why Are Flavorings Used in Medications?

Flavorings are used because they:

  • Improve taste and mask bitterness
  • Enhance patient acceptance, especially in children or elderly
  • Support compliance with oral liquids, chewables, or orally disintegrating tablets
  • Help in uniform sensory experience

These properties make them useful in both prescription and over-the-counter products.

Ingredient Names to Look For

Flavorings may be listed as:

  • Natural flavor
  • Artificial flavor
  • Flavor (e.g., peppermint, cherry, orange)
  • Entrapped flavor (e.g., entrapped peppermint flavor)
  • Specific types like peppermint oil or fruit essence

Where Do Flavorings Appear?

They are commonly found in:

  • Oral suspensions or solutions
  • Chewable tablets
  • Orally disintegrating tablets
  • Lozenges or gummies
  • Some film-coated or flavored capsules/tablets

How to Check a Medication’s Ingredient List

Ingredient lists can vary by manufacturer and dosage form.
Use PillParser to scan a medication and view its ingredient list.





Adding the manufacturer filters generics (fillers/dyes often differ).

To keep PillParser free, anonymous scans are limited.


Understanding ingredient differences is especially important for individuals with known sensitivities. RxAllergyScan.com allows users to compare medication ingredients against their personal allergen profile.

Educational Note

This page provides educational information only and does not make medical claims.