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Original poster

Getting the medicine to go down ... and not come back up again!

16 replies

IDismyname · 18/03/2002 07:08

I hang my head in shame. I've resorted to sheer bribery to get ds (3.5yrs) to take 10 days worth of penicillin 4 x a day, on top of Calpol etc.
He's had a bad throat infection, and there seems nothing else for it.
In the past, I've tried hiding medicine in drinks, approaching by stealth, trying the "adult" approach, as in "This will make you feel better", but all I get is said medicine back at me. As a result, most aministrations take place in the bath!!
Does anyone out there have any sure fire ways of success?
.... and does anyone know where I can get a Captain Scarlet...?!

OP posts:

Paula1 · 18/03/2002 09:44

I bribe too, I let my son hold a sweet or chocolate whilst he takes the medicine like a good boy and then can eat the sweet straight away. For 10 days, I don't think it does any harm. Captain Scarlets are in Woolies.

tigermoth · 18/03/2002 11:41

Yes, bribe away if it helps. If you are still met with a refusal to 'open wide', have you tried inserting a medicine syringe gently but firmly? Less chance of spillage, too. Follow with a hug, praise and a sweet.

Batters · 18/03/2002 15:31

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

IDismyname · 18/03/2002 19:52

I forgot to include 'syringe' on my list... failure there, too.
Thanks, Paula1 for pointing me in the direction of Woolies.
So, so glad, Batters, that I've not been the only mom in tears, covered with medicine, slumped on the bathroom floor!!
Please keep any more comments coming...

OP posts:

mollipops · 19/03/2002 05:44

Hi fms

My wonderful gp told me a trick to get kids to swallow medicine that they use at the children's hospital here, while giving dd (then just turned 5) her oral polio drops.

All you have to do is hold their nose FIRMLY as you squirt it in (with a syringe) (if they will take it out of a cup or off a spoon it's less messy but there you go - if it was that easy you wouldn't be asking for help would you? ) It's also a good idea to place one hand firmly under their jaw (so they can't spit). The idea is that as they can't breathe through their nose, they need to take a breath thru their mouth - but they can't do that until they swallow first! SO no matter how much they don't want to swallow, their brain basically "overrides" their will. The survival instinct kicks in - YOU WILL BREATHE! - so swallow they do! It may seem a bit harsh but it definitely works. (It is easier with two people - with the child on the lap of the one doing the holding while the other gets the stuff into their mouth!)

Worth a try anyway if you have tried everything else, and even promises of a lolly afterwards don't work! HTH

SueW · 19/03/2002 09:15

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

cos · 19/03/2002 16:01

if you are struggling with the calpol ask your pharmasist for paracetemol suppositries, they cant throw them up and thay work really quickly

Paula1 · 19/03/2002 16:16

Maybe I'm a prude, but I don't like the suppositories idea, there are some very strange people around, and I would feel a little nervous that my son would not distinguish with mummy sticking something up his bottom and...... I don't need to say the rest I'm sure

ScummyMummy · 19/03/2002 16:46

I think doctors don't recommend suppositories for over 1s- except in special circumstances- because of the push-it-up-the-bum factor. One of my friends has a disabled little girl who needs temperatures to come down VERY quickly if she is not to be quite seriously affected and she uses suppositories as they are much faster acting than oral paracetamol. I must admit I share your distaste, Paula1, but for some people they are a lifeline.

tigermoth · 19/03/2002 23:39

fms, hmm yes, I thought you might have already tried the syringe. Is your ds old enough for this tactic?

My son hated taking some medicine too, but as he got older, he was able to tell us what he didn't like about the medicine - the bitter taste, the grainy texture etc.

Armed with this information, I made sure that when the doctor next prescribed him medicine, I would make of big point of saying 'my son doesn't like that yellow medicine he had last time because of the nasty taste. Do you have any other?'

This would be said in front of my son, but with a secret nod and a wink at the doctor. The doctor would sometimes be able to prescribe another (just a different colour of flavour). If not, I would ask the doctor to explain to my son why it was so important to take the medicine he was given, even it he didn't like it.

I'm not saying this worked miracles, but by involving my son in this way, at least he knew I was not the most awful mother in the world when medicine time loomed.

Copper · 20/03/2002 10:29

I had to give my youngest prophylactic antibiotics everyday from 8 weeks to 2.5 years - fortunately only 1 dose a day. The absolute easiest way was to give him a syringe when he was asleep - he just kind of sucked it naturally. With a bit of luck you might be able to get 2 of the doses down this way. Syringes are much easier than spoons for antibiotics - much less likely to lose some, and then worry that they are not going to get the total course.

Bron · 20/03/2002 11:48

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

IDismyname · 20/03/2002 12:20

Tigermoth
I did try and make a point of getting the Dr to tell ds that taking the medicine is important to make him get better. I think the message hit home...
Trouble is, this medicine has to be taken on an empty stomach, so sweets and other edible bribery won't work on this occasion....
hence the bribe of a Captain Scarlet when it's all over.
Mollipops - thought your suggestion pretty good when all else fails, but ds quite strong, and have noone here 4 x a day when stuff needs to be administered! However, good to know this sort of info when nothing else works.
Thank you all for your help.... only 6 more days to go (sigh...)

OP posts:

Selja · 20/03/2002 13:17

I can't believe how long your children are prescribed antibiotics for. When we were in Spain ds got tonsilitus and when I told the doctor what ds had taken in the past he said they were out-dated. He gave ds one shot a day for three days. Its probably banned in the UK (I've not had the nerve to ask our doctor yet) but they were very effective. Luckily my drug junkie of a son is sitting there with his mouth open like some chick every time he sees a medicine bottle (even the disgusting banana flavour stuff) so I don't have a problem with him taking medicine.

Paula1 · 20/03/2002 18:19

Bron, this may not be appropriate, but in the past when I've needed to see a consultant for something, if you ask to be referred privately the initial appointment is usually around £90, (unless you go to Harley Street when it would be much more). Maybe it would be worth paying for the initial appointment, maybe you wouldn't need to see them again, and you can always transfer back to the NHS

Charisma · 21/03/2002 08:59

My 6 month old is on antibiotics for 7 days and does not like taking medicine from a spoon or syringe. I have resorted to mixing it up in his food and so far so good, he has now had 4 days worth of the medicine. However, dh thinks that the antibiotics may be altered in some way by the food (I only add it to food after it has been heated). Are any of you pharmacists or do you know whether this is detrimental? My ds is improving no end so in my opinion, the medicine is working!!

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