ADMINISTRACAO ORAL DE AGENTES BENEFICOS

Apparatus for adding a beneficial agent to a liquid for drinking during oral administration includes a support structure extending transversely across an imperforate walled zone such as the upper end or neck of a bottle or vessel, or of a funnel-like adapter attached to the top of the vessel, with a retention pocket with liquid penetrable walls held by the support structure and comprising at least one beneficial agent secured therein whereby the beneficial agent is taken up in the liquid for drinking during or just prior to oral administration. The beneficial agent may be in either or both of controlled release dosage form or non-controlled release dosage form and may be one or more of nutrients, medicaments, probiotics, electrolytes, rehydration solutions and diagnostic agents, to which a flavoring agent may be added. In the novel method a support structure with a retention pocket comprising at least one beneficial agent is provided in a bottle or vessel with the support structure extending transversely of the neck or top of the bottle or vessel or a drinking tube extending thereinto. The bottle or vessel is provided with a liquid for drinking selected from a liquid nutritional product, a beverage or water and the liquid is contacted with the beneficial agent during or just before oral administration thereof.