Child will not take antibiotics!

[user1485461206]

My daughter needs to take a course of antibiotics, 4 times a day, she is petrified of taking any medicine, I have no idea why but she has got herself into such a state today on the two occasions I have tried, she has an infected whitlow on her finger and I don’t know what else to do, I have promised her the world today if she took the medicine, pleaded with her, I’ve tried everything and she is so stubborn, I mixed some with yogurt but she knew and barely ate half, mixed some with water and it took a lot of persuasion and an hour and half for her to drink it, there was a lot of tears and I am exhausted
Any ideas what else I can try??

Age?

She is 7

Can you explain what will happen if she doesn’t?

Is it the taste? Offer a sweet or a Juice straight after? Or even a fizzy drink as a treat?

Have you tried getting her to hold her nose while she swallows? It stops things smelling as bad.

Taking the medicine is non negotiable. Could you time her taking it? Then see if she can beat her time?

Try using a syringe (like you get in infant calpol) or a special spoon? Or a straw? Or mixed in with mushed banana or ice cream?

I’d stop pleading, it’s not working.

I’d tell her what will happen if she doesn’t take it.

I use a syringe (so I can fire it into the back of their throat so their tongue doesn’t taste it as much), and I explain very firmly that they are going to take the medicine or they will get too poorly and could end up with it from a needle instead, and give them a nice sugary sweet to shove in their mouth as soon as the medicine is done, and if it’s a particularly rank one a couple of extra sweets. Usually as soon as they see the sweet they are willing. It’s not a discussion or a choice here though (I’ve made that mistake before).

I did tell her what would happen if she didn’t take it and she woke up the next day more than happy to take it, her fingers now better
Thanks all

I'm guessing they've given her flucloxacillin. Ask GP to change it to clarithromycin if she can take that. It only has to be given twice a day.

Cross posted. Glad all is well

Ask for a more palatable antibiotic! My dd recently had clarithromycin for a nasty skin infection and she took it well. I gave her a chewing gum after (which normally she’s not allowed) to take away the bitter after taste , that motivated her. Some antibiotics are terrible, really disgusting, so I always ask the doc to give one that is palatable!! X

At seven you can get her to take capsules/tablets. Mine have been taking them since they were five. Practice with mini smarties.

Or if medicine is a must, it’s two magic stars if you have to hold her down to take it, or five if she takes it willingly. (My children have a rare issue where antibiotics are a MUST or sepsis is a real possibility)