Over the counter meds I can give my 3 1/2 year old son?

Question

Hi~

My 3 1/2 year old son, Jason has had Diarrhea for the last 2 days. He has no fever and he isn't throwing up. Is their anything I can give him that I can pick up at rite-aid or target? His dr. office is not open until tomorrow. He is not eating but, is drinking. Any ideas Thanks!

Jennifer

Answer 1

NO!!! Don't give him anything like Pepto or Immodium. They can give BAD belly pains, or if the diarrhea is caused by a virus or something he ate, make it last longer. Neither of which is what you want.

Try binding him up with foods - stay away from milk and juice - they're not as easily digested and can make diarrhea worse. Give Pedialye or water or flat gingerale or coca-cola. Load him up on the carbs - bread, rice, bananas, applesauce, toast, noodles, pretzels, crackers, mashed potatoes. (pretty much anything that would make someone on the Atkins' diet gag.)

If he won't eat at all - try this: boil some white rice (even the boil in bag stuff will work) and keep the water. Let the water cool and mix it with something he'll drink. He's getting the starch from the rice, without having to eat it.

As long as he's drinking and peeing, he'll be okay. The diarrhea might hang around a few days, but if it's gone in less than a week, it's okay.

Answer 2

I got this from BabyCenter - it has a lot of great info.

Here are some signs that you should have your doctor paged and have them call you:
Peeing less that twice a day
Dry crying (no tears)
Can't keep liquids down
Severe diarrhea (a watery bowel movement every two hours or more)

First - don't use anti-diarrhea medication unless the doctor prescribes it.

Stay away from sweetened fluids like sodas (including ginger ale), athletic drinks (like Gatorade), Jell-O, sugar water, and undiluted fruit juices. All of these contain sugar that will draw water into the intestine and make the diarrhea worse - UNLESS this is all he will drink.

Try yogurt with live bacterial cultures are a safe and effective way to cut down on the amount and duration of diarrhea. Just be sure to buy yogurt with lactobacillus, or live cultures.

There is the traditional BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and dry toast), but the AAP says any foods made up of complex carbohydrates, such as rice, wheat, potatoes, bread, and cereal, as well as lean meats, yogurt, fruits, and vegetables, are safe to eat.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

They don't recommend giving children medication for diarrhea but only keeping them hydrated. That is the most important thing. Gatorade is great for this. I'm sure it is probably a virus that will run it's course in a few days just make sure thy child stays hydrated. If the child is becoming dehydrated he will be listless and if you raise the skin on the back of the hand it will not snap back into place quickly. If the child does become dehydrated that is an emergency situation.

Answer 4

Do not give him any anti-diarrhea. He may have a tummy bug that just needs to run it's course. Keep him well hydrated to avoid dehydration. Try the BRAT diet. Bannanas, rice, applesauce, toast. This is usually calming to the stomach. Take him to the doc when the doc opens up. Lots and lots of fluids. No juice, soda, milk, just pedialyte or watered down gatorade.

Answer 5

Get him Gatorade to drink (it's way cheaper than Pedialyte). Just keep his fluids and electrolytes up... try some good old fashion Chicken Noodle Soup.

Answer 6

As long as he is drinking you may have to let it run its course. As long as he doesn't get dehydrated you should be ok until you can get him to the doctor. Don't use pepto bismol. It has aspirin in it. Good luck.

Answer 7

I would only give him pedilite but if he goes three days with that sh.. i would take him to urgent care or ER, he could get really sick three days is a long time for a 3.

Answer 8

Go and talk to the pharmacist. That's what they're there for.