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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put DS' antibiotics in a glass of cola?

71 replies

LetThereBeCupcakes · 11/10/2015 09:04

I think I am, but I'm at my wit's end.

DS (2.7) has a chest and throat infection. He needs antibiotics. He was at my Dad's for the latter part of last week, they couldn't get any in to him. DH and I have been trying Friday night with limited success. Tried bribing him with chocolate buttons, explaining why he needs them, demonstrating on teddies, offering the choice between syringe and spoon - no luck. Resorted to wrapping him in a towel and just trying to squirt it in but he clamps his mouth shut and spits out what little we do get in.

In desperation, I mixed this morning's dose in a cup with about an inch of cola, which he guzzled down. I'm torn between just getting the medicine in him any which way, and worrying about his teeth. Oh, and wondering if the cola will interfere with the medicine in any way.

AIBU? And if so - how the hell do I get these ABs in to him?

BTW, I tasted the ABs myself. It tastes of banana, hardly bitter at all so no idea why he won't take it.

Help!!

OP posts:
EnlightenedOwl · 11/10/2015 09:43

Do it. I mean if you can find something a bit more healthy than cola to hide it in, great, but if not, go for it

DrSeuss · 11/10/2015 09:45

Just do it. How is that any worse than promising something sweet to take the taste away?

AnnihilatedBeerGuttedCats · 11/10/2015 09:48

This maybe outdated advice.

When I was nursing we used to give a-bs through feeding tubes and flush them with Coke to stop them blocking.

Pretty standard practice at the time.

Unless it says take on an empty stomach I can't see any harm in it.

Maybe a bit of cheese soon after to rebalance the acids in his mouth?

Aquarius320 · 11/10/2015 09:51

Coke is too high in sugar and might ruin the affect of the AB. Sugar free squash would probably work better.

Devora · 11/10/2015 09:55

Whatever it takes, I reckon. I usually rely on yogurt, though (the highly sweetened, unnaturally flavoured kind with a kids' character on the front, obviously).

londonrach · 11/10/2015 09:55

Quick check of dr googgle re abs and coke. Agree ask pharmacy but seems accirding to random internet pages to be ok. Strangely its advised not to mix abs with milk. One such site. uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110817154540AAfuJzp

BastardGoDarkly · 11/10/2015 09:58

Yep, I'd do it too.

SquinkiesRule · 11/10/2015 10:07

I used to do abs in a 1/2 inch of coke when Ds was a toddler, only way I could get it down him. Doc said that was fine, he was a good teeth brusher so no problem.
I work in surgical and have a few pts with tube feeds, we have flushed them with lemonade to prevent blocking on occasion, usual use water so AnnihilatedBeerGuttedCats it is still done.

MrsOs · 11/10/2015 10:16

I would try it with something else. I dont think any 2 year old should be drinking coke.

Original poster
LetThereBeCupcakes · 11/10/2015 10:30

Well no, Mrs O, I don't think it's ideal either. How would you do it?

OP posts:
Marynary · 11/10/2015 10:37

I probably wouldn't do it because coke is quite acidic and it could affect the coating of the antibiotic (depending on the antibiotic) and the absorption into the blood stream. Perhaps try another non-fizzy drink?

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 11/10/2015 10:41

I agree with the masses, my concern would be that mixing it with coke will affect the antibiotics in some way - eroding the coating or being altered by the sugar. I'd check with a pharmacist that it's okay, because it'd be a lot of hassle to continue and then find out it didn't work!

Original poster
LetThereBeCupcakes · 11/10/2015 10:41

The trouble with using squash it water is that he won't drink them in one go - he sips regularly all day. Didn't think leaving the antibiotics mixed in was a good idea, especially as they're supposed to be refrigerated.

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 11/10/2015 10:43

I would not use coke... possible something less acidic less caffeine.
milk?
squash and a ton of sugar...

BlackeyedSusan · 11/10/2015 10:45

actually, given the stomach is quite acid they may be ok.

gamerwidow · 11/10/2015 10:47

It's a tiny bit of Coke for a very limited time while the course of antibiotics lasts. I wouldn't think twice about it if it gets the antibiotics in.

Marynary · 11/10/2015 11:31

Just realised that it is a liquid rather than tablets (sorry). I still wouldn't put it in something acidic like coke. It could be fine but you may be changing the pH and effecting its stability/absorption.

Marynary · 11/10/2015 11:38

Just noticed that you said it tastes of banana so you probably have amoxicillin? I think it will be okay because the liquid is quite acidic anyway.

btw, I don't agree at all that it tastes of banana (you probably just think it does because it is yellow)!

Forestdreams · 11/10/2015 11:43

Ask a pharmacist. I did, likely a different antibiotic and was told never do it with that drug and yoghurt, but the same drug and apple juice would be fine. We used about 1oz of warm apple juice very successfully. But you need to check about that specific drug. No point wasting the antibs by risking limiting their action.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 11/10/2015 11:43

I recruited pharmacists for years and was told they often do this themselves Smile The thinking seemed to be that, providing the child swallows the mxiture straight away rather than leaving everything to "soak," it should be fine ... once in the stomach it's no different to taking the dose after having a drink anyway

Hellochicken · 11/10/2015 12:06

Yes I'd try coke. Unless it says "avoid taking coke/ anything by mouth for 30 mins before or after taking" as they could be mixing in stomach anyway.

Aged 2.7 you are just at the large/strong size so difficult to restrain/force and a bit too young to reason with (especially when a battle has started), it's tough.

Have you got enough left to finish course? If not I'd just check with pharmacist that there isn't a different (easier disguised) flavour for a replacement bottle, but sometimes if toddlers know they don't want it, it doesn't mattervwhat it tastes of.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 11/10/2015 12:24

Absolute worst case scenario, but you could put them in a syringe and gently squirt them onto the back of his tongue - that far back he shouldn't be able to spit them out, and will automatically swallow them. Then reward with chocolate buttons.

villainousbroodmare · 11/10/2015 12:38

Of course do it.
Consequences of failing to take antibiotics are far worse.
Maybe by the time the course is over he'll have taken agin' Coke and will be a Milk Man for life!

GnomeDePlume · 11/10/2015 12:40

I would probably choose caffeine free and sugar free coke but if what you have to hand is full fat then no matter.

I cant see what the fuss is about. It isnt like you are trying to mix his ABs with the white powdered version!

kali110 · 11/10/2015 12:45

I would do it. From what I've read on packets you don't take antibiotics with dairy as it it affects them.
I have nearly always taken ab with coke or another pop though and they've always worked.
If he takes the ab with it, just do it.
He's ill no point prolonging and upsetting him more.
Don't brush his teeth for 20 minutes after though.
You don't need an extra teeth brushing, that can do more harm than good.

I always loved the banana medicine!! I wanted more!
I hated the others!i was gutted when i got too old for the banana Envy