antibiotics for kids?

Question

My 2 1/2 year old was prescribed amoxicillin for her ear infection- 3 times a day for 10 days. Do doctors really think you can get a toddler to sit down and take that medicine 30 times? Isn't there an easier way? Has anyone else gotten antibiotics for their kids in a quicker way, like a 5 day dose? Or you know how some cough meds on the market have the melt on your tongue? Why can't prescription medication be like that? I tried to put it in her juice but she didn't always drink the whole thing and it was just a nightmare.

Answer 1

Yes, Z-Packs (Azithromycin) are faster. BUT doctors don't like to prescribe them because that's like using a shotgun to kill a fly.

Most doctors are beginning to shy away from over-medicating, like they have over the last 25 years. They are seeing antibiotic resistant strains because of over-medicating for something that would actually run it's course in about a week ANYWAY.

I know ear infections are a bit different, and your pediatricians advice is far better than mine.

Overall though, I personally don't go to the doctor or take my kids over simple fevers or colds or what-not. It strengthens their immune system, really. Mine are 9 and 10 now, and when the bugs start running through their classrooms, they rarely if ever get sick anymore. In hindsight it was worth the missed work to nurse them with chicken soup and vapor rub and Children's Tylenol.
I'm a single parent, so if they got sick, I missed work. Daycares won't take sick kids. But again, it was worth it. They've had perfect attendance the last two years.

Answer 2

You're bigger than her, so it can happen. Should this happen again, you might want to talk to the doctor about not using antibiotics. In Europe it's been routine to take a wait-and-see approach, and it's becoming more popular in the US. There are other alternatives as well, such as a single dose of ceftiaxone, though that's a painful injection, but overall, taking into account all the positives and negatives of the different alternatives, amoxicillin is the drug of choice if antibiotics are to be used for otitis media.

Answer 3

Yes there is another way if your 2 1/2 year old is having trouble taking the antibiotic you can ask for shots 3 shot for three days. Their is another way ear drops not always recommended also try using a hair blower blow warm air into the child ear helps shooth the pain and help dry liquid in the ear. Lots of vitamin C and Eyebright at your nearest health store like Whole Foods.

Answer 4

My daughter had chronic ear infections....we always had a pink bottle of amoxicillin! I would put it in a syringe, and hold her on the counter near the sink. Put the syringe down the side of her cheek, as far back as you can, and shoot the medicine down the side. I bribed my daughter with mini m &ms--it worked really well. For each time she didn't squirm, and didn't try to spit it out, she got one mini m & m. It only took about 1 day for her to decide she wanted the m & m. And, since it's just 1 mini one, it's not awful on the sugar front, either.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

i know it can be hard at times.. but you have to be firm.. if you want her getting better .. she has to take the medicine.. my son is 3 and a half.. been on antibiotics sooooo much for ear infections etc. they can prescribe it so that it is twice a day.. but it's only 10 days that she's gonna be on it.. my son has been used like a damn pin cushion in hospital gettin iv's stuck in his hands and feet for 15 days straight.. then on antibiotics for 6 more weeks at home.. 3 times a day.. is just somethin ya gotta do.. if you have to, sit her sideways on ur lap, her one arm behind you, holdin onto u.. you hold her other arm and give her the medicine.. once she realizes it wasnt' that bad.. she'll be ok.. she's just playin you.. if you want to help her get better, ur the mom.. be firm. Then afterwards give her some juice or somethin .. she'll be fine.

Answer 6

It taste like bubble gun! Put it in a little cup and walk up to her and tell her to take it. It taste good so she will. Not a biggy. There is another called Zithermax (or something like that) it's 1 time a day for 5 days,more potent. Stays in system for 10 days.

Answer 7

Im a kid and i didnt have an ear infection but i had some nasal infection bacteria thing so i got an anitbiotic that worked in 5 days keep in mind the ears and nose are related and connected so its probably the same category however i am 14 so it could have been a stronger medicine

Answer 8

its tough, but its the only way. There is an antibiotic on the market that is a one dose a day, but it may not be right for your case, or it may not come in a small enough dose for a baby. We would just hold my son down and drip the meds in his mouth slowly.

Answer 9

1 inch of pop & medication--tastes good, its treat its pop, & wa-la they take the medicine. the key is just a little pop, so they drink it all, just like u said, problem dont drink it all. also pharmacies-walgreens offer different flavors to add to medicine so kids like. but I say go w/ the favorite drink. always worked for all my kids, never a problem. if u cant then theres always the syringe & just tip head back & squeeze in back of mouth. not nice, but it works if all else fails. also as for the 10 days yep, thats how it works., for amoxicillin that is, there is another stronger medication for 5 days, but u dont want stronger if child doesnt need it.

Answer 10

only use a little bit of juice. Then say drink this and you will get more.. if you use sippys, put it in a big kid cup. I did this and it worked great. Tell them how big they are when they take it. I tried mixing it in foods, like yogurt(this works great because they can not tell the difference, but only use a little bit!), or other meds in apple sauce.