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How to give yucky medicine?

[Deleted User][Deleted User] member
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months

HI all.

I don't post here often but I need all the tips and tricks you have to offer. We have to give DS antibiotics twice/day for an ear infection. He does not like the taste. I got some in him last night until he decided it was just too yucky and wouldn't take any more. I offered it again this morning but he wasn't having it, so I tried having DH hold him while I squirted it down his throat (terrible, I know) but he managed to spit most of it out. I tasted it and I can't think of anything to mix it with that would mask the flavor well enough - it is sweet but kind of acrid, like sharp-tasting. Also, he has to take 6.5 mL each time which is kind of a lot! I'm not sure he'll drink all of whatever I mix it with.

Any advice? TIA!

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Re: How to give yucky medicine?

  • minervacullenminervacullen member
    Put a very small amount at a time in the back corner of his cheek and make it fun. Sing a song, blow raspberries, blow in his face and laugh... DD too antibiotics daily for 10 months.


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  • Meery82Meery82 member
    Walgreens can flavor the medicine. They have about a million different flavors to choose from. I think it only costs a dollar or two extra. Definitely worth it. I bet other pharmacies can do so as well.
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    JandACoffee said:
    I second the Walgreen's medicine flavoring. DD LOVES the strawberry cream flavor. Right now she is on strawberry cream flavored augmentin which I think is normally a not very enticing raspberry. Walgreen's has a "yuck-meter" chart that they can tell you the quality of the medicine flavoring. If it is not great then you can add to it for 2.99

    Other than flavorings, just squeezing little bits in their cheek while doing something to distract is how we've always had to do it. DD was on zantac twice a day from 2 1/5 weeks old till 11 months old. She really disliked it and the only flavor walgreens could do was grape with that while wasn't real good. We did everything from squeeze slowly in her cheek when being semi-cooperative to squirt it in her cheek when she had her mouth open to scream... How does your LO do with bribes? :)

    He is way too smart for bribes. :) At least the bribes I can think of. He knows what we're up to and digs his heels in, even if the bribe is something really enticing, if he really doesn't want to do it he won't. My persistent little boy.

    I will try making it more fun tonight and giving a little at a time.. it will just take forever, because it's a lot of medicine. I might call up the pharmacy and ask if they can mix up a different flavor too. I love the idea of a yuck-meter!

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    JandACoffee said:
    I actually just found the one walgreen's uses online. You could try looking up your LOs medication and see if you can find a good flavor combo.

    https://flavorx.com/products/pediatric-medication-flavoring/wheel-of-yuck
    That is so COOL! I found his - it is rated "Yuckier" haha! Strawberry, grape, or bubblegum flavors are recommended. I think his is like a citrus or something. I'll talk to the pharmicist. Thank you!
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  • emberlee3emberlee3 member
    It's the worst when your kid won't take their medicine.  We get our antibiotics at Publix, which has a selection of flavorings.  We usually do grape, and the kids like it.  My sister had to give her DD some kind of yucky medicine, and she had success mixing it with chocolate syrup.  Her daughter was asking for her chocolate morning and night!
    DS born 8/8/09 and DD born 6/12/12.
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  • tifdaski84tifdaski84 member
    Can you mix it with a drink he likes?  Our LO takes a yucky med too so we add it the milk he has before bed.
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    Possum2011 said:

    Can you mix it with a drink he likes?  Our LO takes a yucky med too so we add it the milk he has before bed.

    This is what the pharmacist suggested, so I'm going to try. If that doesn't work I guess I'll have to try another pharmacy. :/
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  • mrsshawnavanbmrsshawnavanb member
    We have had this problem with DD and we found a few things that helped a lot. First, try to let him hold the syringe himself and then say "mommy's going to help you" and push the plunger part in to push the medicine into his mouth. When I let DD feel like she is in control and "doing it" she actually will take it most times. Our pedi suggested to try to mix it with chocolate syrup (hersheys or whatnot) which we did try but that didn't work for us. You can also buy a medicine dispensing paci or a medicine dispensing sippy cup.



    I hope this helps, I know how frustrating it can be to have to fight with a LO to get them to take the medicine so they feel better. Good luck! 
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  • BabyNewbury2012BabyNewbury2012 member
    We put it in her Sippy cup with pedialyte!!!
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  • LEIGHLOVE09LEIGHLOVE09 member
    I mix all meds in her milk. She doesn't seem to notice and it's the only way I can get it in her.

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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    Thanks for the suggestions everyone. We tried everything, but he would not take it. We ended up switching to a less yucky medicine. I will have the check the yuck meter before filling his prescriptions from now on! I did switch to Walgreens so at least if it is yucky I can have them add some flavor. The other pharmacy wouldn't do it.
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  • jennell230jennell230 member
    Just reading this post now, but wanted to respond b/c I have dealt with this too. We tried everything from syringes, to flavoring medicine, chocolate syrup and other foods. We have two things that actually worked.
    1. Our kiddo liked to suck on ice (and eat snow) so once her mouth is completly numb then we were able to shoot the medicine in. Any other time, not a chance.
    2. When she grew out of this eating ice stage, then we asked for the medicine not to be in the liquid form, actually a capsule (luckily they came in a capsule form.) We were able to open the capsule up and put the contents in her bottle and she drank it like a charm. We wouldn't fill her bottle up the entire way just to ensure that she drank the whole thing. The doctor (and pharmacist) did look at us like we were crazy asking for a capsule for a baby, but it worked and relieved a lot of stress and aggravation! Good luck-I feel for you, we have been there!
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    @jennell230 Thank you! I'm sure this won't be the last time we have to give yucky medicine. DH and I were actually wondering if we could get a capsule instead of liquid, thinking it would be easier to sneak into a drink. Good to know it worked for you!
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