Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

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

56 replies

Miaou · 14/07/2007 22:08

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.

OP posts:
SlightlyMadSpider · 14/07/2007 22:48

I have just checked. As far as I could see this was only available as suspension, capsule or injection so I don't think you will get suppositary.

Miaou · 14/07/2007 22:49

Sorry Jennster, I'm confused - so FLOXAPEN isn't coloured? Is that right? Do you know if it has a taste or not? Sorry to be a pain.

Whoosh - that's interesting - you got suppositories in the UK?

OP posts:
ApuNahasapeemapetilon · 14/07/2007 22:50

miaou how interesting - ds got ab's for scarlet fever and impetigo in the form og pink goo and although he was 4 he would not take it
I rang gp and got them to give yellow stuff - that pink stuff was BITTER

( just noticed your son has strep too - was it flucloxicillin?)

I think i got erythromycin instead and it worked a treat

JennsterSlugSlayer · 14/07/2007 22:51

A suppository would have to be made especially by a specials manufacturer, and have no idea whether a supp is suitable for an antibiotic.

Miaou · 14/07/2007 22:51

Thank you SMS.

Yes I do use real nappies - not sure if this is a contributing factor tbh ... but ds will quite often poo in the middle of the night but not wake (and he doesn't do it often enough to make it worthwhile me rousing him to check) - and I guess the infection could have started if he had poo against a broken bit of skin for some time ... poor wee soul!!

OP posts:
Miaou · 14/07/2007 22:52

Apu - yes - flucloxicillin

OP posts:
SlightlyMadSpider · 14/07/2007 22:52

From the patient information leaflets for FloxPen

Product description
What it looks like
A cream coloured syrup.

Ingredients
FLOXAPEN syrup contains flucloxacillin magnesium and the following ingredients:

Sodium saccharin, Xanthan gum (Keltrol F), Citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium benzoate, blood orange dry flavour, tutti frutti dry flavour, menthol dry flavour, sucrose.

FLOXAPEN syrup does not contain lactose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.

Miaou · 14/07/2007 22:53

I actually wondered if it came in "yellow stuff" - thanks for that! I guess your ds tolerated the second version ok?

OP posts:
SlightlyMadSpider · 14/07/2007 22:53

Actually that was from tehNew Zealand PIL...

Miaou · 14/07/2007 22:55

Oh well that's definitely got to be worth a try SMS - thank you for that!

Ahhh MN is wonderful - I shall call the GP on Monday and see what he says - many thanks for the suggestions!

OP posts:
SlightlyMadSpider · 14/07/2007 22:56

UK PIL

Orange, tutti-fruitti & menthol flavour apparently - so I guess it is hte classic yellowy white medicin...

JennsterSlugSlayer · 14/07/2007 22:56

No Floxapen ISN'T coloured but no idea about the flavour. It smells sulphurous like the capsules.

JennsterSlugSlayer · 14/07/2007 22:59

cross posts spider

JennsterSlugSlayer · 14/07/2007 23:01

Have you tried rinsing your nappies powder free a couple of times and then do a really hot one off wash? Sometimes powder build up can make bums sore.

WendyWeber · 14/07/2007 23:02

Don't know if anyone else has suggested this but could you get capsules, open them up and put the powder into a spoonful of yogurt or something?

SlightlyMadSpider · 14/07/2007 23:03

WW - it has been suggested - but opening capsules or crushing tablets can be very dangerous (depending on the med).

WendyWeber · 14/07/2007 23:04

Oh, I see someone has and you shouldn't - sorry!

Hope his poor bot is better soon

WendyWeber · 14/07/2007 23:04

x-posts, SMS

JennsterSlugSlayer · 14/07/2007 23:05

Wouldn't matter with these as not a modified release capsule, but you couldn't guarantee the correct dose. Smallest capsule is 250mg and the dose is 125mg. You would be guessing.

SlightlyMadSpider · 14/07/2007 23:11

I didn't think and antibiotic would be a problem to split - but I think that in general slitting capsules shouldn't be encouraged as many people don't realise how much effort goes into getting some drugs to specifically survive the stomach or release over a defined timeperiod. I believe there have actually been fatal cases.

Just thought it was an opportunity to educate Jenster

SlightlyMadSpider · 14/07/2007 23:12

*as in educate the MN folks - not educate Jenseter - as you obviously know what you are talking about (I assume you are a phamacist/GP )

JennsterSlugSlayer · 14/07/2007 23:14

I should know better. Am a pharmacist. Would never recommend it, but then anything made by a specials manufacturer is going against the product license too.

JennsterSlugSlayer · 14/07/2007 23:15

It's ok sms I walked into it.

SlightlyMadSpider · 14/07/2007 23:17

I would be suprised if you can't get them in Japan as apparently they really turn their nose up at oral medicines.....I can't imagine supposiotaries being a good route for absorption of an AB though ?

CHOCOLATEPEANUT · 14/07/2007 23:17

I am nearly 40 and remember a vile pink medicine from when I was a child. It was thick like phlem

yuk.bad memories!