Can I put penicillin in something?

[itsgettingweird]

Ds (16) has got flucloxacillin to take for 7 days.

It tastes vile. They didn't have sugar free and that may be why it tastes so bad?

Anyway. I've tried giving chocolate afterwards to take away the taste.

But he's struggling with the actual taking it without being sick- he's really gagging.

Can I put it in something like orange juice? Does that take away taste of I just make a mouthful so he still only has to swallow one lot?

We need to stick at it and make sure we are giving it properly because he has an infection in his nose (that looks like tonsillitis!) and nasal infections can be dangerous if not treated effectively.

Do you mean he is actually 16, not 6? I would swap for capsules

Yes he's 16.

Can't have capsules as can't swallow them.

They do a tablet version. Can he take those?

I found the only thing that washed away the taste of flucloxacillin was a fizzy tropical drink like lilt. Chocolate didn't work as the flavour within the medicine was so foul, but the bubbles worked to was it away and the tropical flavour disguised the aftertaste (my particular brand was orange/menthol/tuttifrutti flavour combined, but there is also a pineapple flavour). It was so foul I learnt to swallow the capsules the next time! Don't mix it in with anything as you need to ensure he gets the whole dose, and that none is left behind in the glass

My son had this antibiotic when he was younger and completely refused to take it - the taste is absolutely disgusting! The only way to get him to have it was to mix it with chocolate mousse so I guess that was strong though to disguise the taste. It worked but he did end up on 4 mousses per day for a week! Might be worth a go to see if it takes the taste away - anything to not be gagging on it, bless him!

Unfortunately not and they can't be opened. I asked as forgot to remind GP he needs liquid and originally got capsules and I asked pharmacist.

The only thing I can suggest then is you treat him like a pet and put it in a syringe and squirt it down the back of his throat.

Penicillin does taste foul so if he can have a go with a capsule that would be much better

Oh he likes mousse! That's worth a try.

He also lives tropical tango so that's worth a go too.

Thanks

I've just finished a course of flucloxacillin and your meant to take it on an empty stomach - either 1 hour before eating or 2 hours afterwards, so be careful with what you give him.

At 16 he needs to get on with it. It's gross, granted but needs to happen.

At a push I'd let him it syringe it in so it hits the back of the throat quicker.

He’s 16.... he needs to learn to swallow tablets as in adult life most medication comes in tablet form. And I say that in the kindest way possible! Best suggestion I have for the oral suspension is to put it in a shot glass thing and it’s down in one (rather than a spoon where it’s going to hit his mouth more). Perhaps immediately follow with a mint?

And for taking tablets, just opening your mouth and literally dropping the tablet down throat better than the ‘put in mouth and wash it down’ method!

My son was on that one- very bitter lasting taste- but not to be taken with food, an hour before or two hours after- so we used fruit juice ice lollies, or ice pops. Numb mouth with ice pop- squirt in meds, finish ice pop- jobs a good un. Good luck finding what works for you guys

Unless your DS has a disability/additional needs that affect his swallowing, he needs to learn to swallow tablets. Many drugs do not come in liquid form or are very inconvenient if they do.

A problem swallowing tablets is purely psychological as he will be swallowing much larger pieces of food with no problem. He needs to start with a tiny tablet - a child's vitamin C tablet, for example- in a spoonful of yoghurt or ice cream, and keep practising.

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions about taking away taste.

Just for clarification for those who want my ds to grow up and crack on - he's disabled.

I didn't put this in OP as I wasn't asking for opinions on him taking it. Just advice on how to make it more bearable 🤷‍♀️

Honestly, I don't think you can. Whatever you mix it with he'll just have a bigger dose of foul concoction. Echoing a pp, just syringe it, or let him do it himself if that's appropriate. As far back as possible so the least amount of his tongue possible comes into contact with it, and have something pleasant with a strong taste ready to follow it.

Easier in syringe than spoon i find but it's truly vile. The Tango or equally sugary and bubbly drink was going to be my next suggestion too. Good luck

It's not a drip feed.

The OP is clear I'm asking how to make it more bare able for him and a few posts in I clarify he can't swallow tablets.

I'm going to go with tropical tango. We have some cans in so I'll try it in morning. He's very good and won't refuse and will persevere but it's not nice watching him gagging 4 times a day!

He persevered every evening for an hour to try and swallow tablets for over a year before an OT pointed out he has a tongue thrust he can't control. That'll be why they shot across the kitchen then 🤣

Bless him, hope the tango works.

We really need a drip feed icon on mumsnet though.

Tango, and if you can get him to sit/ tand up very straight, if he can. Put his shoulders back. Breathe in and out. Then take the medicine and a big gulp of the tango. It sounds weird but posture really helps sometimes, and can help you feel in charge of the disgusting taste.

Will he use a straw???

Yes I'll try the posture and deep breath. It'll make him laugh if nothing else which may distract him!

Yes he'll use a straw.

Try a straw! Drink the meds and then out the straw into some juice and drink that.
Worth a try.