MIL stopped giving DS his medicine

[eefs]

My DS stayed with my MIL on saturday night, we were going away for the night and DS loves it there. He was on a course of antibiotics, started on the friday (he'd had a cough that seemed to be getting worse, and these were prescribed in conjunction with a cough syrup). When we picked him up on Sunday, I asked when he'd last had his medicine - it turns out that ds(2 yrs) told MIL that he didn't like it and so she decided not to give them to him. Normally she's great with him, but that made me mad. I didn't say anything but I suppose I have two questions - what effect does this have on the antibiotics if the course is interrupted, should I stop giving them or does it make a difference. The Doctor said DS has a sore throat, no infection and I'm not sure the antibiotics are even necessary (my doctor prescribes them every time we visit!).
And do you think i have any right to be annoyed with MIL?? I know she did look after him for the weekend for us, i feel a bit ungrateful - but he could have been quite ill and it would have made a difference then if she decided to just stop his course of antibiotics. Any opinions would be welcome

Personally I think your MIL was out of order not to give the medicine if you requested her to do. OK it sounds as though the illness wasn't that serious on this occasion but that is not her decision to make. I'm afraid with medicine its not a case of whether you like it or not.

Not sure about interupting the antibiotics because I can't see why your doctor prescribed them if there was no infection. Wouldn't worry too much about them.

eefs, lots of doctors prescribe antibiotics because of pressure from patients, wanting a bit of paper to take home, or something to make them feel better, but I think yours has been a bit naughty prescribing where there's no obvious secondary infection. I think your MIL's been a bit naughty too but probably done you a favour, helping to reduce the risk of you ds becoming resistant to ABs by having too many courses!

If your MIL knew clearly that it was important he had the a/b's then she was very naughty and I'd be cross, too.

The main problem with stopping before the end of the course is that the bacteria have not been completely eradicated. They could stage a come-back but may then be resistant to further a/b medication. But it sounds as if your son didn't really need them because it wasn't a bacterial infection and so long as he is well in himself, I wouldn't bother give the rest of the course.

You can always phone your local chemist with queries like this. They're the experts on drugs, not the Dr and you don't need an appt to see them! HTH.

No time, but agree, naughty MIL!

thanks for the messages - I'm not going to say anything to her, but it's good to know i wasn't out of line in feeling a bit annoyed. I'll remember it in case the situation arises in the future. And I am grateful that she will mind him for us, in case I came across a bit easily wound up.
it made me smile to hear her described as naughty

I think thats probably the right decision Eefs. But bear it in mind if she's ever minding him when he is on some important medication - I would even consider ringing to remind her in future.

BTW Bozza, I've also stopped giving DS the a/b's - a mixture of not really thinking they were necessary (but giving them because they were prescribed and doctor know best,) and reading the anti a/b views here. In any case it was distressing for both DS and I to get him to take them, I don't think that helped in any way.
Thanks again

Bad MIL, naughty MIL, go to your room.