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Original poster

Can I put penicillin in something?

50 replies

itsgettingweird · 29/12/2020 21:56

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.

OP posts:
MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 30/12/2020 21:40

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

LOL - if only it was that simple. At least a hundred patients a year tell me that they "can't" swallow tablets when there is no actual reason why they can't. Your DS is clearly an exception and I hope the tips on here help him. But it was a massive drip-feed, even if you didn't intend it to be.

Original poster
itsgettingweird · 31/12/2020 20:44

Thanks for all the advice.

We went with squirting as far back as possible and then Fanta fruit twist.

He's got use to it now and has been feeling much better today too which is good Smile

Sorry if people thought not mentioning disability was a drip feed. Wasn't intentional. I guess I'm so use to people in RL knowing why ds can't swallow tablets I just assumed others would realise when I said he couldn't that he genuinely couldn't.

OP posts:
Original poster
itsgettingweird · 31/12/2020 20:44

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow

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

LOL - if only it was that simple. At least a hundred patients a year tell me that they "can't" swallow tablets when there is no actual reason why they can't. Your DS is clearly an exception and I hope the tips on here help him. But it was a massive drip-feed, even if you didn't intend it to be.

I think I'm the opposite. I'm use to saying ds has hereditary spastic paraplegia and people have no idea what I'm talking about and so don't 'get' why he can't do things!
OP posts:

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AKissAndASmile · 31/12/2020 20:49

I'm glad he's managing it now. I was going to suggest the GP switches to Clarithromycin. Ok tasting and only needs to be given twice a day.

notapizzaeater · 31/12/2020 20:50

I used to put it in Diet Coke but my LO was a toddler but should work fir teens

OverTheRainbow88 · 31/12/2020 20:52

That antibiotic needs to be taken on an empty stomach so please don’t mix it with food.

Original poster
itsgettingweird · 31/12/2020 22:13

@OverTheRainbow88

That antibiotic needs to be taken on an empty stomach so please don’t mix it with food.
I won't. I remembered that after considering mousse.
OP posts:
Crapbuttrue · 31/12/2020 22:28

Mix it with neat cordial.

DennisTMenace · 31/12/2020 23:03

I had massive issues trying to get my toddler to take orange antibiotics as so bitter he would just spit it out. I did have he best success mixing it with yoghurt. The doctor said it wasn't ideal and better in an empty stomach, but if he would only take in food them go for it.

Clymene · 31/12/2020 23:20

Oh that's great news OP. Hope he continues to go from strength to strength

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 01/01/2021 00:47

Use salt. Disguises it better than sugar. Use a syringe to get it to the back of his tongue then get him to lick the flavouring off salt and vinegar discos to take away the taste. Heck have a disco first as well. Those things can strip a layer of skin they're so strong.

Rainbowgravy · 01/01/2021 00:52

Holding your nose can help, then drink or eat something else after (whilst still holding the nose).

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 01/01/2021 00:54

A mouthful of chocolate BEFORE the medicine.

So that the inside of his mouth and tongue are coated.

MyNameHasBeenTaken · 01/01/2021 01:01

My friend has a disabled dd with a similar issue.
Some things that work for her...
Mix the medicine in to a mini petit filous yoghurt type thing
Syringe as far down the back of the throat as possible, while child has milkshake ready to wash away taste
Let child do own syringe and be ready with coke/milkshake
She has had conversations with many doctors over the years. Taking the medicine with a toddler size yoghurt is far better than not taking the medicine.
If your ds wants to try to learn to take tablets, get him to try this in stages
Take a medium mouthful of water or juice and keep it in his mouth for a few seconds

Put his head/face upwards while he has drink in his mouth

Open his mouth while head up

Gently drop a tablet in to the water in his mouth

Swallow the water. And hopefully the tablet too

Practice each stage with him, until he is comfortable with it. Maybe twice a day for a week. You know your ds.

Practice with something like tictacs for the last stage.

user1471505356 · 01/01/2021 10:12

If it is a capsule you may cut it open and mix with something palatable.

Toddlerteaplease · 01/01/2021 11:35

He's 16. Tell him to grow up and just take them. It's. It that difficult. The syrup is absolutely vile and very bitter. I'm a paediatric nurse and I'd expect to struggle to get it down a five year old. But not a teenager. We do roll our eyes when 16 year olds ask for calpol not tablets.

Toddlerteaplease · 01/01/2021 11:36

Ah. Just read that he has special needs. That's completely different then.

Toddlerteaplease · 01/01/2021 11:37

It would make our life so much easier if the sugar was put back into the syrup. I loved 'strawberry' Medici W when I was little.

OverTheRainbow88 · 01/01/2021 11:40

@Toddlerteaplease

I'm a paediatric nurse and I'd expect to struggle to get it down a five year old. But not a teenager. We do roll our eyes when 16 year olds ask for calpol not tablets.

I would hope a paediatric nurse would have far more compassion and empathy. How would rolling your eyes help someone swallow pills if they can’t whether they be 10 or 20.

AngelonTopoftheTree · 01/01/2021 11:44

@Toddlerteaplease I think you need to read the OP update about her son's disability.
OP, glad you found something that seems to be working.

RunnerDown · 01/01/2021 11:48

You have to be careful putting in in anything in case it affects the active ingredients in the antibiotic. Best to check with a pharmacist ( but don’t know how you do that today)

Blueuggboots · 01/01/2021 11:51

He's 16. Tell him to suck it up!!!
I've taught my 9 year old to take tablets and capsules. It took a few hours but it's possible.

Toddlerteaplease · 01/01/2021 11:52

@AngelonTopoftheTree yes I saw that. It makes it completely different.

Blueuggboots · 01/01/2021 11:52

I've just read the update that he's disabled. I didn't see that before I commented.

OverTheRainbow88 · 01/01/2021 13:48

If only people had read the update before rudely commenting...

@itsgettingweird How has giving the antibiotics gone today?

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