Both of my children needed to take antibiotics for their Strep infections a couple of weeks ago. My 4 year-old daughter did not like the appearance or taste of cefdinir (OMNICEF) suspension and my 23 month-old son was suspicious about the cold, pink liquid known as amoxicillin suspension. In fact, my son actually sprayed out the first dose in its entirety. Funny, but these two antibiotics are supposed to be the better tasting of all the liquid antibiotics. With my daughter, I coaxed her to take the cefdinir with gummy bears to chase the medicine taste away. That didn't work the second time. I tried using a freeze pop and let her choose the flavor. This worked to numb her tongue first so that she wouldn't taste the medicine and then it cleansed her palette afterwards. I completed her course with the freeze pops and some water. The same tactic was used with my son when I decided I wasn't going to hold his nose. After several doses with half servings of freeze pops, I was actually able to use grapes and other favorite foods of his to get him to take the medicine. There was no more fighting. It also helped that I made it sound like fun with my singsong voice. "It's medicine time!" I exclaimed. Since the antibiotic was dosed twice daily, I coordinated the doses with breakfast and dinner. This worked really well. When choosing foods to go along with the medicines, just check with your pharmacist to make sure that the antibiotics won't interact with the foods. Some antibiotics should not be taken with dairy products (for example, ciprofloxacin). Also make sure that taking the medicine with a meal will not affect the medicine's overall effects.
A few other things to point out are:
- Some antibiotics need to be refrigerated and others should be kept at room temperature to keep them stable. Amoxicillin can be refrigerated or kept at room temperature. Refrigerating it may make it taste better. Cefdinir can be kept either way. If you're not sure, ask the pharmacist before you leave the counter.
- Make sure the entire course of the antibiotic is given, even if your child looks and feels better after a few doses. Note that finishing the course does not necessarily mean to finish the bottle of medicine. There may be a couple of extra doses left if the bottle has enough for 7 days and your child only needs to take it for 5 days. Do not save it. Throw it out.
- Use the right measuring tool that is appropriate for your child's age. For my 4 year-old, I used a medicinal spoon. My son was given an oral syringe. I gave him the 1 teaspoonful in 2-3 portions. Some pharmacies have these to give away.
Do you have a tip to share with other parents?
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