Which statement is true regarding taste masking polymers?

Taste masking polymers play a crucial role in pharmaceutical formulations, particularly when developing oral dosage forms that contain bitter or undesirable tasting active pharmaceutical ingredients. The statement that taste masking polymers can remain intact in the mouth is significant for several reasons.

When these polymers remain intact during oral administration, they can effectively create a barrier between the taste buds and the drug, which helps to prevent the unpleasant taste from being perceived. This characteristic is essential for improving patient compliance, especially in children or individuals who may be sensitive to tastes. By remaining intact, the polymers allow the medication to be swallowed without the individual experiencing the discomfort associated with bitter flavors.

Additionally, taste masking polymers are designed with specific properties that enable them to resist dissolution in saliva, ensuring that they do not break down before the drug is swallowed. This allows for controlled release and minimizes taste perception during the brief period the dosage form is in the mouth.

In contrast, the other statements provided do not align with the primary function of taste masking polymers. For instance, needing to dissolve rapidly in the stomach contradicts the purpose of taste masking, as the polymer should ideally resist initial dissolution in the mouth. Similarly, although not dissolving in saliva is part of their function, stating they "should not" is less precise than stating