Anyone else have a child who WILL NOT take medicine?

[tonilea]

Thank God DS is rarely sick, because the kid just will not take medicine. I can force it down him, but he vomits it right back up! The only way he can be medicated is with suppositories or injections!

How old was your child before you could reason with them to take medicine?

I have even failed to bribe him with a train!

I can't hide it in something, he sniffs his drinks first.

Advice, suggestions, sympathy?

 

[Cloudwatcher]

HAHAHAHA

Sorry I am not laughing at you but I am having this problem right now. My DD3 is sick and will not take anything and when she does she yacks it right back up. So tomorrow she and her daddy will be going to the doctor to get a shot.

 

[jandkN]

I completely understand your dilemma. I'm not sure what type of medicine you are trying to get your little guy to take, but my daughter used to (sometimes still does) do the same thing with liquid medicines and she was 3 in December. There have been a couple of things that have worked for us. First, if it is a prescription medicine I always talk to the pharmacist about the situation and find out if there is anything that they can do to help with the taste. There are the flavorings that can be added, but after talking with the pharmacists I have learned that sometimes the flavors actually make the medicine taste worse. We also found out that she will not take the generic brands of some medicine. The pharmacist told me that the generic brand of Zithromax is very bitter, but the name brand is actually much easier to get little ones to take. We payed a little bit more, but it was so worth it to get the medicine in her and not have to fight it. Second, we try to find chewable alternatives whenever possible. Last time my daughter was sick with a cold/respiratory infection the doctor prescribed a decongestant, but we absolutely could not get her to take it without throwing up. We went back and he gave us some samples of the Mucinex mini melts for younger children. These seemed to work really well for us. It is a little packet that you just sprinkle on their tongue. My daughter is very picky and she really likes it. Hopefully one of those suggestions might help. Good luck and I hope your DS feels better soon (for both of you ).

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I always told DD that if she vomitted the medicine back up, she'd have to take it again, until it stayed down. After a few times she realized I wasn't about to give up -- it's just too important -- especially antibiotics. What worked for us was she'd put her medicine in her mouth (anything liquid) and then would immediately (before swallowing), take a sip of a drink through a straw, and the mix of juice and medicine would be enough for her to be able to swallow it, then immediately take another huge drink.

 

[tonilea]

I completely understand your dilemma. I'm not sure what type of medicine you are trying to get your little guy to take, but my daughter used to (sometimes still does) do the same thing with liquid medicines and she was 3 in December. There have been a couple of things that have worked for us. First, if it is a prescription medicine I always talk to the pharmacist about the situation and find out if there is anything that they can do to help with the taste. There are the flavorings that can be added, but after talking with the pharmacists I have learned that sometimes the flavors actually make the medicine taste worse. We also found out that she will not take the generic brands of some medicine. The pharmacist told me that the generic brand of Zithromax is very bitter, but the name brand is actually much easier to get little ones to take. We payed a little bit more, but it was so worth it to get the medicine in her and not have to fight it. Second, we try to find chewable alternatives whenever possible. Last time my daughter was sick with a cold/respiratory infection the doctor prescribed a decongestant, but we absolutely could not get her to take it without throwing up. We went back and he gave us some samples of the Mucinex mini melts for younger children. These seemed to work really well for us. It is a little packet that you just sprinkle on their tongue. My daughter is very picky and she really likes it. Hopefully one of those suggestions might help. Good luck and I hope your DS feels better soon (for both of you ).

It is just tylenol. lol I think the flavorings may be a huge part of the problem. He won't drink juice (loves fruit) or eat fruit flavored candy (chocolate and M&Ms only).

I tried the quick dissolve tablets, chewables and the "film" type strips... he just has such a strong gag reflex. He was the same way when I forced him to try a bit of some kind of food a couple of times.

I talked to one of the ladies at church and one of the boys in DS's class has strep, so we may be headed for the doctor tomorrow!

 

[tgrisen]

We had the same problem with our oldest - try mixing into their favorite drink. And yes I have mixed it into chocolate milk at 11:00 at night - at least he took the medicine!

Mickey seems to have a profound impact on our kids too! Anytime we want them to do something we tell them Mickey would be so proud. Works like a charm. So much for being their hero!

 

[gower525]

OHh I feel your pain. DD3 has had pneumonia twice and an ear infection just this winter. I feel like I have been fighing medicine all season. I tried forcing it - she throws it up. I tried mixing it in applesauce, juice, yogurt, coke, everything. This last time I sat her on the counter with chocolate milk medicine. I told her she couldn't get down until she drank it - and then I left her there. She drank it!! This is now our routine and it works. You may say it is cruel or dangerous - but she won't try to get down and I hope she doesn't fall - she hasn't so far.

 

[graygables]

My now 11yo had a terrible time taking meds when she was younger, we kept a "spitty bowl" around for her at all times anyway, but used it a LOT when she was sick. Even a cold would make her vomit. Antibiotics were the WORST. I had a standing prescription for tylenol and phenergan suppositiories b/c once she started yakking, nothing would stay down. We'd start with the phenergan, progress to the tylenol, and hope that anything by mouth would work. If not, it meant an overnight at the hospital for meds/hydration. Some meds also came in "sprinkles" that were flavorless and could be mixed in with applesauce, so those worked well.

One night, I was coming at her with the tylenol suppository and she broke down begging for a chewable. Gave it to her and we never had another bit of problem. Within 6 months she was swallowing pills.

 

[momof5boys]

Been there done that, still doing it! Actually Tylenol doesn't seem to go down well for many kids. I prefer Motin brand in berry flavor or bubble gum. I'm an ER nurse and have seen it all. Had to take my then 9y.o in for a shot for an ear infection. The doc gave him every choice, liquid,chewables,pill or shot. He chose the shot(until we came into the room with it!) He learned to swallow pills when he turned 11 but is again saying he can't swallow pills,(ain't ADHD fun?!) If he is strong willed there might not be much you can do but get a shot for antibiotics, as for fever meds use a suppository or let him cook,it won't hurt him but he'll feel miserable, but hey the fever will kill off viruses faster! Good luck!

 

[tonilea]

let him cook,it won't hurt him but he'll feel miserable, but hey the fever will kill off viruses faster! Good luck!

I had to laugh when I read that! It is in my best interest not to let him "cook", at around 100 he starts puking like crazy!

I am so glad it isn't just my crappy parenting skills! lol

Tonight, I told him if he didn't take the medicine I was going to "have to shove the pill in your bottom". I was in the kitchen getting the suppository and I told him to go to the front room and take his pants off. (I thought the threat might get him to change his mind.) I turn around to go to the front room and there he is... pants around his knees, bent over, cheeks spread. I guess he really does prefer the suppository.

 

[Whosemom]

Oh no...thanks for starting my morning with reliving nightmares. LOL. I have worn more beautiful pink antibiotics in my children's lifetimes than I care to remember.

The good news is they eventually get over it. Mine learned to swallow pills pretty quickly and life is good. Occassionally now the kid's dose doesn't come in a pill, and then we have a LITTLE battle, but with the kids being 12, 9 and 7, they are old enough to reason with about wanting to feel better.

 

[tttessa]

With my eldest - I used a syringe(no needle obviously) and squirted the medicine to the back of her throat - it was a taste thing - medicine really got her "bitter" tastebuds going - which activates the gag reflex - from our hunter gatherer days bitter usually meant poisonous/not nice to eat in the wild, hence - puke it up.......

Incidentally - it is the same reason kids give up green veg at around 2 years old - their bitter sensing tastebuds increase in number round that age.

Tessa

 

[stacy6552]

I got a great tips very early on. Use a syringe, put it in the back on the outside of the last tooth and squeeze. You dont have to get them to open their mouths and the cant really spit it out, but it does go down.

 

[MSSANDRA]

When we moved out of our house that we rasied DS in as a toddler, we had to paint over the huge red stain on our kitchen celling that came from spitting out his tylenol when he was about 18 mo. i too was going to suggest not giving him the tylenol but then DUH..I remembered that i too had one of those wonderful children that thew up everytime they got a fever and they thew up more with the fever than the medication!! AGGGG.

ok, to help...By 3 i would often be able to reason with DS but that did not mean the medication always stayed down. One thing that did help sometimes was putting him in control of how he took it. he could work him self up to throwing up BEFORE the medication. Letting him choose a spoon (premeasured) or medication cup or what ever as the mode of dispense. Check with the pharm. and then try mixing with a strong flavored food. Chocolate syrup or peanut butter sometimes works. have a favortite drink nearby too.
keep the suppository close by in case he is really sick and has to have the medication. IF he does have strep and needs a antibiotic, talk with the dr and then the pharm. about the least offensive med. Sometimes chewable pills are possible by three.

Good luck!!

 

[mom2nca]

wow does that ever remind me of my middle DD I had the same horrible problem! It was a struggle every single time, even with the suppository , but at leat I knew when I finnaly got it in it wasn't going to be vomited back up!lol

she finnaly got to the point where she will swallow medicine at about 4.5 but she will whine and complain and protest at lot, I have to have a drink ready for her and she still gags but it stays down, she will however swallow the whole pills way better then any liquid so I try to get them as often as possible. I put the wole pill in a little yogurt or pudding or apple sauce and tell her not to chew to just swallow and it works.

Good luck

 

[tadamom]

My son is the same way. His gag reflex is SUPER sensitive!!!!!!!!

What we did forever was if it could be mixed, it got mixed in Sprite or Fanta (Sunkist) and he could handle it. If it was an antibiotic, it had to come in shot form. He screams like your killing him but I make it be his choice to get the shot. He will tell me he doesn't want medicine and then I say he has the choice of shot or medicine that will make him throw-up. He chooses the shot. We are getting over strep and the flu here, so he had a shot last week. Thankfully, all the antibiotics he has needed have come in shot form as well.

He will now take chewables but has to take a big drink of something before and after taking them.

Good luck!

 

[goofyisinphilly]

I took a lot of meds as a kid. I hated taking the liquids. At one point my mom had a chart on the fridge there were so many different kinds.

In first grade I got really sick and they wanted me on 4 different kinds of meds that were liquids...or I could take the biggest pill you have ever seen. My grandmother had cancer and mom said "well grandma is sick and she takes lots of horsepills every day. do you think you could take one?" I learned how to take pills so my grandma and I could be the same.

 

[Tissa]

I guess I have the opposite problem. My ds's will swallow any kind of liquid but will not swallow a pill or take chewables. One ds takes two pills a day and we have to crush them up and put it in sugar free pudding for him to take them. My 12 year old still has to have liquid Motrin given to him in a syringe.

 

[cjackearl]

My DD10 does not know how to swallow pills! She had strep last week and the pediatrician said that its becoming a pretty big problem, because of the quick dissolve things and chewables. If kids aren't taught to swallow pills by about 10, which involves "tricking the brain" it becomes a lot harder to do it. She's prescribing much more liquid to teens than ever before! We've tried cutting her vitamins into tiny pieces and having her try to swallow those, but no luck so far Maybe hating liquid meds will get them to swallow pills earlier???

 

[laughinplace199]

I feel your pain. We went through this with DS6. In fact, we're not totally over it, but it has gotten better. I have vivid memories of having to bring the stroller into the living room strap DS into it so he couldn't run away when we tried to give him his medicine. Thankfully, he didn't get sick very often.

Now it's a little easier because he understands that the medicine will make him feel better, and also because I bribe him with Hershey's Kisses. If he takes his medicine nicely, he gets 4 Kisses (even if it's 6:00 AM or 8:00 PM). If he fights me, her gets fewer. How many he gets depends on how much resistance he puts up. I'm at the point now where I automatically buy a bag of Kisses when I go to CVS to fill a prescription. I don't normally use bribery, but sometimes you gotta do what works, right?