Tips to get 8yo to take medicine

[PostmistressMcColl]

My 8yo is refusing to take antibiotics that she's been prescribed. She's extremely strong willed and can't be bribed. Taking the medicine is non negotiable. So far as a consequence she has been brought home early from her friend's house (when medicine was initially refused), she's also not allowed to watch TV or have any computer time until she starts having the medicine. I think I could take all her toys away too and it wouldn't help.
We've tried being cross and being sympathetic. I've explained how important the medicine is and the possible consequences of not taking it, to no avail (yet). Any tips? WWYD?!

I've recently gone through this. I used a calpol syringe to shoot it to the back of her throat and followed immediately with a milk chaser. And a bribe - she got a token after every dose and was able to swap them for something predetermined at the end (an LOL doll)

I can sympathise, I take a handful of meds a couple of times a day but totally gag at taking liquid meds, so I had a google around and came up with these 2 links which you might find helpful

www.seattlechildrens.org/medical-conditions/symptom-index/medication-refusal-to-take/

health.clevelandclinic.org/top-tricks-to-get-your-child-to-take-medicine/ - the last paragraphs are most relevant for you

Best of luck

@andadietcoke be careful with that calpol syringe - taken from the link above from Seattle children's hospital - Do not squirt the medicine into the back of the throat. (Reason: Can enter windpipe and cause choking.) Just saying be careful, I know you are doing the best for your DC

I aspirate frequently and end up needing antibiotics for it which is horrible and as antibiotics are the medication needed for the OPs dd, I wouldn't like her to aspirate as would create a full-scale refusal for ever,

Thanks all. We tried again and she managed 1 spoonful but wouldn't have the 2nd. Sigh. Not sure if some is better than none with antibiotics...

She's had the 2nd spoonful! So now we're off to the park. Hopefully this will start to get easier... Thanks again everyone.

So glad! Gives you hope doesn’t it. Hopefully no going back!

I had to take some extremely disgusting medicine once - I ended up filling my mouth with a string tasting drink (cola or orange juice etc) then shoving a spoonful of the medicine in and swallowing the whole lot. A bit gross but needs must (i was an adult at the time and had no excuse for my wimpishness - but I gag easily and certain smells let alone tastes will make me vomit)
And yes I think some AB is better than none - you just have to do the best you can.

When I was little my mother used to say 'if you don't take it you'll have to go to hospital and have a huge injection instead' - I don't recommend this method of persuasion

strong tasting drink - not string tasting - that would be truly revolting.

Can she eat bread? If so, there's a v. old trick.

1. take medicine
2. eat a small piece of dry bread - chew it well and it hoovers up the bad taste
3. piece of choc/nice drink of choice. Because of the bread, there's no nasty aftertaste.

Thanks - I did actually try the big needle threat . We've bumped into friends at the park and DD's having a great time. Have reminded her this is only possible because she was able to manage some medicine in the end, hopefully that'll help too.

Lol at string flavour and thanks for the bread tip, will give that a go!

It's OK Postmistress - Mum and I laugh about it now -she had obviously tried everything else
Once in primary school I was trying to skive off PE and doing some fake hobbling about, she told me to tell the teacher I couldn't do PE because I had varicose veins !