Toddler WILL NOT swallow Antibiotics PLEASE help

[Jars11]

I know there are so many threads on this but I haven’t read anything that has managed to help me. My son is 18 months old and we are having to give him antibiotics for the first time since he was a little baby, it’s penicillin, and it for Strep throat so have to give it to him four times a day for 10 days! It is literally impossible to get much down him, I’ve tried everything, mixing with food drink, dummy dispencer, and the only thing sort of working is a savage syringe to the back of the mouth whilst restraining but even this isn’t really working, I would say more than half is dripping out as he screams. I am at my wits end, it’s day 2 and i just can’t do it anymore we’re both so miserable. Please please does anyone have any other miraculous tactic that works. I’ve ran out of ideas. And the will to live.

Cottonsock
Not many medicines taste great especially antibiotics. It's better to force it down than the alternative. The amount is so small.

I don't agree with the above, there is an alternative! Yes the sugar free ones are repulsive. Adding sugar didn't help I'm afraid, just switching to a different one with sugar.

As I said, forcing it down caused severe food aversion for my dd.

When I forced my DD to take antibiotics she had already been in hospital for 3 days so she could have IV antibiotics. I was not about to risk a readdmision.

@Jackshouse, I've forced them down my dd too as she has a chronic condition and needs them often. BUT if I can switch to a different one that's palatable why wouldn't I? My dd may be on antibiotics long term (she's on a 2 month course right now). I have tried different ones and she now trusts me. A choc button sometimes needed, but she won't ever take the ones that taste like acid and I hope I don't have to force her as I wouldn't be able to take them either. The food aversion led to her not eating for 3 months. I get fed up on these threads of people with the attitude that a straight jacket/ toughen up is the only way. I don't fancy doing that for the rest of her childhood. Dh is a Dr and totally agrees and we would never risk her health. Hope things have got easier op.

Thank you all for the input. Cottonsock i really appreciate your advice, i’ve asked the pharmacy to swap me for a non sugar free version. He’s taking it mixed in berry smoothie now, still some resistence and spitting but he seems to understand it has to be done now and that he gets a reward after. I feel so much relief. And he feels so much less stressed with me :)

That's great news. Hopefully those doses will pass quickly now!

I can get a tablet down an extremely fierce feral cat but I'd think I'd probably be arrested for trying it on a toddler.
I think the best method is fast and unexpected.

Fenella's advice is good. It tastes awful , you just have to make them have it a tiny bit at a time. They will detect it diluted in any drink one.