What can you do if your sick child refuses to swallow her medicine? Forcing it down can cause trauma and coaxing doesn't work well either. Pharmacists today offer some different tactics to help with the "yuks."
Flavorings Can Lessen The Battle of the Yuks!
Would your child be more apt to take icky-tasting medicine if it suddenly tasted like chocolate? How about sugar cookie, candy cane, strawberry, watermelon, cherry, or even mocha cappuccino? Ask your pharmacy about FLAVORx, which can provide a choice of 42 tastes.
Medicines That Can Be Rubbed Into The Skin
Certain medicines (not antibiotics) can be compounded into a gel that can be rubbed onto your child's wrist. The cost can be more expensive but is often, not always, reimbursable by insurance. There are more than 3,000 compounding centers nationwide.
Lollipops, Lip Balms, and Other Alternatives
Some medications can also be placed into lollipops, liip balms, oral rinses, and other alternatives. Parents should always check with their child's doctor and/or pharmacist before considering an alternative dispension of a medication. The bottom line is that parents must find the most effective way to get medications into their child's system and working.
