Medicine Dosing 101
7 strategies for tots who refuse to take what the doctor orders
A spoonful of sugar? Yeah, right. We asked our favorite smartypants pediatrician, Dr. JJ Levenstein of MD Moms, for some medicine-dosing tricks that actually work.
"I have personally stood in the shoes of all of you parents whose children refuse medication," says Levenstein. "But before you apply any of the creative tricks below, check with your pharmacist about whether your child's medication can be crushed and whether it's compatible with food."
For starters, ask about the options. Certain medications can be prepared in liquid, granule, chewable, or even rectal formulations. Some antibiotics are designed for once-daily dosing, others for five days—and some with improved flavor profiles. Often a branded medication may taste better than its generic counterpart. It’s important to let your doctor know that taking medication is not your child’s forte.
Seek out a compounding pharmacy in your city. Compounding pharmacies can convert some medications into lollipops, rectal suppositories, or suspend them in your child’s favorite flavor syrup—for an additional fee. Most standard pharmacies at least offer the option of flavored syrups at minimal additional cost.
Disguise it as dessert. Just the sight of a medication bottle may turn off some tots. Adding even the most foul-tasting medication to about a tablespoon of chocolate pudding works almost every time. You can also try chocolate or strawberry syrup, applesauce, or yogurt (but check with your pharmacist before mixing with yogurt as some medications shouldn't be given with dairy). The healthiest trick is to try mixing medication into a tablespoon or two of fruit smoothie. If the medication is in capsule or tablet form, try opening/crushing and putting in the treats above—or in a small teaspoon of peanut butter, marshmallow cream, or even inside the cavity of small pieces of licorice.
Play up the horrible alternatives. Correlate NOT taking medication with a dreaded consequence—going to the hospital to have a stranger give the medication or returning to the doctor's office to get a shot instead. Of course this ploy only works if you realistically have those options available in the event of refusal.
Enlist the help of a teacher. Often, preschoolers have no problem eating veggies, going potty, or even taking medication at school. Work with your child's preschool teacher or daycare provider to see if he or she can help.
Empower your kid. Allow your child to give himself the medication at his own preferred pace with an oral syringe, or by drinking the medication with a straw.
Bribe, bribe, bribe. Offering a decent reward, along with affirmation that your tot has been a Big Kid by taking medication, is an important part of this process.
 
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