Dreadful behaviour on antibiotics

[Sycamore76]

Has anyone heard of antibiotics changing a child's behaviour ? My ds is 3.9yrs and started a course of antibiotics on Saturday afternoon as he has a chest infection. Since then he has turned into a monster , his behaviour is shocking. Do you think it's the illness or a side effect of antibiotics ? I have a non sleeping 20 week old too so I think I will lose the plot if it carries on! Has anyone experienced this ?

DS2 used to behave awfully if/when ill. He is getting better now, aged 12, but still behaves very oddly when sickening for something ie before I know he is ill. He goes quite manic.

Ds has never been like this when poorly before , he was ill before Christmas and was just lethargic and clingy . He is coming out with awful things too , just really horrible . Any ideas ??

Bumping !

Do the abs have additives in?

Have you asked the GP or the pharmacist?
What preparation is he on? What is the antibiotic/brand/formula - is it tablets or liquid? It could be a colour or preservative.

Is he just on the ABx or is he taking something else as well - for example ventolin?

Just thinking maybe the colouring is not agreeing with him?..

My DD is awful when on antibiotics.
She is a handful anyway, but on antibiotics she is unbearable!
I managed to get one with no colouring & less or no Enumbers in last time after crying when the GP told me she'd need more of the bloody medicine!

Ds is a complete nightmare on anything containing artificial sweeteners - goes from mostly compliant, cheerful 2.8yo to screaming tantrumming stroppy hellbeast. And it lasts a week.

So it could well be something in them that affects him

Thanks everyone . There is an E number number in there and it's bright orange ! It's called amoxicillin , it's says colour e110

It'll be the artificial colour rather than the antibiotics themselves. E110, also known as 'sunset yellow' has a notorious reputation for causing hyperactivity.

I agree it is probably the colouring.
Can you ask for a different brand?

Ok thanks all. I think I will go back to the doctors

Thanks all. I know it sounds crazy but I can't control him when he is like that .

Thanks for this ds is horrendous on amoxicillin too I didn't know why!

DS's was a blue ice lolly. He watched the same Thomas DVD solidly for a week. Tantrummed, whinged, hit and pinched friends (first time ever and hasn't done it since, now aged 2y8m). He's the same to a lesser extent if he has squash or sweets.

Look out for aspartame, acelsulfate, saccharin, sorbitol, xylitol...

Oh, and buy full sugar calpol - pharmacists give me odd looks but you can get it!

He has been having sugar free calpol too.

I saw what sugar free calpol did to my lovely bamboo nappies. I bought the sugary stuff next. At least I know the liver can process that!

Well the gp just called and said it could be the e110 in the antibiotics but it's not very common. Think she thinks I am a bit mad ! She said kids this age do play up ...

Ffs, do they not think we can't tell the difference between playing up and a complete personality change?

I know ! That colour preservative has been known to cause adhd symptoms .

It may be the colouring but my DDs behaviour is hideous a couple of days after an infection (tonsillitis, chest, ear.) it's definitely the infection itself rather than the medication. i was getting very concerned about her until I realised the connections.

Pickled sprout - do you mean after the infection has cleared up? Ds got a temp Thursday but was fine on friday. Behaviour was horrendous Sunday .( started ab day lunchtime )

For us it seems to kick off a couple of day AFTER having a temperature. It's like Jekyl and Hyde!