DS has been given anti-bs in the form of vile pink medicine which he (understandably!) refuses - are there any alternatives?

[Miaou]

Took him to the gps on Friday with infected nappy rash that hasn't cleared up despite liberal applications of fucidin - gp thinks he has a streptococcyl infection and prescribed anti-biotics which, when we picked it up from the chemist, we discovered to be bright pink, incredibly sweet and foul! Ds will not take it (he is almost two - too young to reason with, too old to force it down him without causing major distress!). I'm going to have to go back to the docs on Monday for an alternative I think.

Anyone else been through this? Did you manage to get an "alternative flavour" or tablets instead? I could imagine crushing tablets and putting them in his food or milk and him not noticing. Any thoughts appreciated.

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I gave a spoonful of honey directly after the medicine and that worked a treat. I totally sympathise it's a nightmare. Second time he needed them I was given amoxycillin which at least tastes nice but is far more generic ab and won't treat everything. Works for ear infections though thank goodness.

In Japan they are very pro suppositaries fo r everything. Not sure if you could get antibiotic suppositories - or if you could get them in this country..

syringe

down between his cheek and his teeth and towards the back and squirt then hold him till he swallows

then chocolate

I doubt you'll find an alternative so either let the body fight the infection or steel yourself to forcing him because you know its what's best

it sucks doesn't it?

oh and pure apple juice sip then medicine then apple juice might help .. might

I have mixwd with apple juiceor undiluted ribena to try and hide it-they are clever buggers though-have also tried yoghurt...good luck!

Hmm, would never get as far as getting the medicine in his mouth, unfortunately - he very expertly spat the whole lot out today (and it stains badly too!! ). Thanks for the suggestion though.

You normally take ABs with food - right?

Would there be any harm in mixing it with a small amount of weetabix or something?

We used a syringe Twigg - no joy! He doesn't drink ribena/apple juice - just milk or water - so he would be very suspicious if presented with juice - though it might be worth a go!

Am seriously wondering whether or not to leave it and hope the infection clears up - it's not getting any worse at least - but he's so good at eating and drinking and (soppy person that I am) I am worried about traumatising him by forcing him to have something he hates so much.

Well yes SMS - except this has on the label "an hour before food or on an empty stomach"

And four times a day - how on earth are we supposed to space it out??? He sleeps for up to 14 hours at night - do we wake him??? Grrr...

you could try it whilst he sleeps if he's a heavy sleeper

sorry miaou .. it stinks .. but really you need to try to force him .. DD had to be admitted at 18 months for IV antibiotics .. it was so impossible to administer orally

space it evenly thru the 10hrs he is awake so 3hrly

Surely they can give you the same dose in a different format. Like a pill you can crush up and mix with food? I would ask the doc/pharmacist.

oh your poor dd!

Hmm, it's all a bit worrying really. He's a very determined and strong little chap. I think we'll have to try hiding it in food/drink despite the instructions (I guess taking it with food would make it less efficacious).

what is the antibiotic? I will see what I can find (if anything)

I'm guessing it flucloxacillin then Miaou?

If you can get a script for FLOXAPEN (the brand) then it's white and not bright pink like most of the generic versions. Problem is unless a pharmacy gets a good deal from the manufacturers, then they won't get paid for the brand and there is probably (don't know haven't looked in a drug tariff in a few months) a large price difference.

No fluclox is flourescent orange, pink is usually penicillin.....

SMS and Jennster - yes, it's flucloxacillin 125ml in 4 x 5ml doses

And it is fluorescent pink!

They may be able to prescribe an alternative antibiotic syrup which might have a better flavour and will be justr as effective. Or, as Hathor suggested, an alternative route, meaning perhaps they could prescribe an antifungal or antibacterial medication topically if there isn't an antibiotic available in this format??

That's what I'm hoping Tiggly - he is still having the fucidin topically but gp is concerned that that isn't enough on its own - I am now on my second tube of fucidin!

If Fucidin didn't do it then probably need a systemic antibiotic. The other option is to use 250mg/5ml instead of 125mg/5ml and give half the amount, but again I would ask for FLOXAPEN brand which isn't coloured like the generics.

God my brain is addled. I've only been on maternity leave a few weeks, Pen V is orange, Fluclox is pink.

And by the smell of the capsules, you wouldn't want to empty those into food.

Ihad a huge problem with dd when she was very ill and I demanded a suppository version.They said not available but after persitanece we got it-way easier tbh-not all mediceines are available this way and it may take persistance but maybe worth it?

And fluclox would be the first choice drug for a skin infection. Don't you use real nappies Miaou?

I wouldn't empty capsules unless they explicity state you can....the capsule is often part of the drug release mechanim and with some drugs emptying capsules or crushing tablets can be very dangerous.

Soulds like Jensters suggestion is the best (and the more concentrated with a syrnge wouldn't be a problem to dose like it would with a spoon).