can't get disgusting tasting antibiotics down my toddler- suggestions?

[honeyapple]

Hi all

22 mth old DS has been prescribed Flucloxascillin (pink antibiotic) for impetigo. It is the most revolting tasting medicine ever- and he is subsequently absolutely refusing to take it. I have tried bribery with smarties- no luck. I have tried rugby tackling him and squirting it in with syringe- but he just spits it right back out. I am currently covered in sticky pink goo (as is my sofa). Don't know what to do- he has to have it 4 times a day and every time I get the bottle out he starts having a screaming fit. It says you are supposed to take it on an empty stomach too which is a total pain.

So- can i mix it in with something? A yoghurt? (or not because it says take on an empty stomach)

Ask GP for a different less disgusting antibiotic?

Ideas please!

Thanks

Flucox is disgusting (have you tried it?). Go and ask for something else. If he won't take it it won't do any good.

I refuse to have it prescribed for mine now - and GP is fine with that....he says - and I quote "it is only prescribed because it is cheap".

It is a penicillin...so there are alternatives for those that are allergic to penicillin.

We just had this issue, and the things that worked were a) giving it in a bit of apple juice in a sippy cup and b) mixing it with a little yogurt.
Think the key is that the thing you mix it with needs to be strong tasting - e.g. we used some synthetic tasting Frubes yogurt and unwatered-down juice. Just don't let him see you mixing it up.
Ours was to be taken at meals, so we didn't have the empty stomach thing to worry about - but I would imagine it's better to get it down them, even with a little bit of something, than not at all?
Good luck, and I hope he gets better soon.

You won't find anything to cover the taste of fluclox....unfortunately.

Honestly - go back for something...no suggestions to get you through the weekend though unfortunately

thanks guys- it is really making both of us miserable! And yes I did taste it- it is bl**dy awful . I think I will have to mix it with something for this weekend and then go back on monday to get something else. Will try ribena- big treat for him to have squash. Hopefully it will mask the flavour?

thisboy- I think i'll be like you in the future and make GP prescribe something else.

thanks again

even neat ribean wouldnt mask the flavour

gave up yesterday

have phoned GP and waiting for a different prescription

Our daughter 2.5 was meant to have this but they gave her amoxycilin instead as they said it was better to have a less effective medicine that was actually taken, then one that wasn't!
It was still a nightmare to take and we tried everything, including taking her to the hospital for the nurses to force down her. After that experience she opted to mix it with yoghurt to take. I frequently had to threaten the syringe and she sensibly decided the yoghurt was a better option.

Hope your new meds are better

I always used to give an ice pop before as it kind of numbed the tongue/tastebuds.

Thanks for suggestions

DS2 still struggling with the new meds- I think he was just totally distressed by the first lot and even though this bottle tastes ok-ish - he is struggling and crying just as much. I have enlisted DP to hold him down so I can get the syringe somewhere near his mouth fortunatley he only has to have this one 2 times a day...

Dorchies- maybe I'll try the yoghurt tommorrow

When dd got prescribed revolting antibiotics I took them back and they gave me an alternative - don't know if this is possible for you. Then I mixed the not-so-disgusting antibiotic into Thomas the Tank Engine yogurts, which are bright pink and taste violently synthetic enough to cover most sins.

Good luck.

Hi Honey

DS has had numerous meds over the last 18mth and I have had to wrestle him to the ground at times. Easiest way I find is sit him on my knee facing to my right, then put his right arm under my left arm and my left arm supporting his head. Using my left hand to slightly restrain his left arm. Then, using my right hand put syringe between teeth and dispense it 1ml at a time (if he spits it you know-ish how much has gone in) He has been in hospital a few times due to infections so I have had alot of practice and can do it pretty quick now. Then as soon as its done he is sat up with lots of praise and 'Oh wheres the special chocolate buttons for clever boys!' He forgets about the fighting immeadiately - until i get the bottle out!

Saying that - does'nt make u feel great having to upset them when they are already ill - so good luck!

DD1 had this last year for tonsillitis. She was 10 then and so old enough to take it whatever but the poor kid was very unhappy. Dh (child of a pharmacist) tasted it and was apalled. He rang his dad who had previously tasted some and he confirmed it's just vile. Fil feels it's because the sugar and exotic flavourings have been taken out of everything like that now. Dd1 perservered, getting through a lot of sweets on the way but I would never accept that being prescribed for her again. At her age she'd better off trying to swallow pills - but that's no help for a toddler.

Thanks everyone

Well I mixed it in with a Night Garden yoghurt (equally synthetic as thomas!)... and he ate most of it... although he won't let me feed him anymore so not sure exactly how much of the medicine actually went in? A lot on face and pyjamas.

Hester- we are currently on an alternative antibiotic cos i took the first lot back!

His face is still very spotty with the impetigo but still got a couple more days of medicine.

Does anyone know if you can get fucidin (sp?) cream without a prescription?

I don't think you can get fucidin cream without prescription in the UK. I could be wrong though.

I have just managed to get my 21 month old to take her penicillin, by cutting the top off an Innocent fruit tube, squeezing a bit out, syringing the medicine in, sealing the top off with a food clip and giving it a shake. My toddler took the whole lot - great! She then ate the rest of the fruit smoothie that I had initially squeezed out onto a spoon. Has been a nightmare to try and get her to take it before this.

I had to wrestle DD2 to the ground and enlist the help of exh while we pinned her down and then held her nose when she had to take amoxycillin. The nose holding was crucial. Once she started to feel better she got more co-operative. I think they are always cranky and oppositional when ill and inclined to fight medicine when they most need it therefore.

Next time she needed antiBs I asked them to give her a jab instead of a prescription and they did. Would this be an option?

I have also done what Confuseddotmum did with freeze pops that were thawed.

I had the same problem with fluclox with my 18 m.o. I did it by force :( after persuasion and giving it with food failed (plus it was supposed to be on an empty stomach and an hour before food).

I sat him on my lap as if to bf him - sideways on. If he was on my left leg facing to my right, I'd tuck his right arm under my left arm and hold his left arm with my left hand. I'd hold the syringe with my right hand and wait till he cried enough to open his teeth, when I'd syringe a bit into the side of his cheek. He'd gag, most of it would come out but once it was past his teeth, I'd blow on his face to stimulate the swallowing reflex so some would go in.

A GP friend said not to worry if most of it seemed to come straight out - some would go in.

I'd explain to him each time that I understood it was horrible for him, I didn't enjoy doing it but that it was to help him feel better. I found that towards the end of the course of treatment he made a lot less of a fuss and I could actually get him to swallow all of it.

I found squirting a small amount each time worked much better than trying to get it all in at once.