HELP!! 7YO Refuses to Take Medicine -- Need Ideas!!

Hi W.-

I don't have any suggestions for you to use right now while she is sick, but when my mother wanted me to learn how to swallow pills she bought me candy that was about the same size as most pills or smaller and she sat with me to practice swallowing them without chewing. We did this when I was not sick so that the next time I needed to I would know how to swallow the pills. I can't remember what we used at the time, but I would guess that mini M&M's or even Nerds would be a good place to start.

Also, have you tried the fast melts for a fever reducer?

Good Luck,
K.

You got some good suggestions regarding modifying the environment to control her behavior. Another option is to keep icey popsicles on hand. She gets to eat half before she takes the medicine (the cold deadens the tastebuds) and half after. This reduces the bad taste problem if she really has to have it. There are tylenol suppositories, but I can't imagine that her fever is so severe that just a bath wouldn't accomplish the same thing.

There is a lot going on here.
If she is able to refuse to take her meds, her fever is not that bad.

The simple thing to do is remind your daughter NOBODY likes to take medicine.
Since she will not take her medicine, she will need to be on total bed rest. This means stay in her room, stay in her bed with one book. No music, no TV, no toys, no open curtains or blinds, no siblings (they could catch this flu again! Wink, wink).

No begging, No bribing, no threats. Do not make a big deal.
If she needs to go to the potty, tell her you need to escort her and stand there to see what she passes into the potty so that you “can report back to the doctors office how much fluid she is passing”. Stand in the bathroom with her, do not make a big deal.

Children that take their meds, get to rest on the sofa or a palate in the TV room and watch videos, get to have jello, even sip 7up. Those in bed in their room will get basic liquids.

This second child wants control, wants attention and thinks that because she is the second one sick, she missed out on all of the attention the first child got when she was first sick with the flu. Hang in there mom, I am sure you are exhausted, just stand firm and do not over react.

FYI. The old fashioned way to get rid of a fever? Cool clear liquids and cool temperature baths.

Sometimes the best medicine is no medicine, maybe just sitting with her is what she needs. My son is home sick right now too and he is 8. Sometimes I have a hard time to get him to take it also. My mom makes green smoothies,(spinach, kale,...)
They are good for you, but sometimes kids don't like it, so I tell him, you can take this grape flavor stuff or I'll take you to grandma's and you have to have a green drink! you choose! But with your daughter I think its a control thing, maybe she needs some attention. Maybe tell her if she takes the meds you'll paint her toes, then you both win.

I would have to confess that I lie to my kids and tell them that if they don't take the medicine, then I will have to take them to the doctor or to the emergency room -- so they can get the medicine they need with a shot.

Yea, yea, the nurses wouldn't do this, but it works to get my kids to take the medicine.

There are things you can suggest when you get your child to agree to take the medicine. Offer some sprite or some other favorite drink as a follow up. Offer some jello of their favorite flavor, etc.

Good luck!

My son is autistic, but he HATES medicine. He doesn't even eat anything you can hide the medicine in. Therefore, I have my saviour! V8 V Fusion juice Strawberry Banana Juice. It is delicious juice that has 8 different fruits and vegetables and kids love it! I make sure that my son has 3 glassed of this a day. With a schedule like that, all of his liquid vitamins are put in that without anyone knowing it. You just have to time the medication-giving at the same time. Tell her this if V8 doesn't work. "I've called the doctor. The doctor said that if you don't take this, he will have to give you a shot. I've agreed because you need to get better." I don't ever advocate using threats, but in this case, it is not a threat, it is a promise that you will ask for a shot next time instead of pills or liquid.

Have you tried mixing it into a drink. I know some pharmacies have flavoring they can add to the medications. Tell her she has to take it or it can cause her to end up back at the doctor.

I was a very stubborn child, and I think it's not "abusive" to tell a child they HAVE to take medicine...that is opposite of abusive, it's looking out for the best interest of the child! I say sit her in time out (a comfy chair since she's sick) but with NO TV, video games, toys, books, NOTHING and tell her she can get up and play or watch TV or whatever just as soon as she agrees to take the medicine. Make sure she has a bottle of water while she's sitting there...it might take awhile the first couple times for her to give in! But as long as it's truly a boring place to sit, she will eventually give in! Her only excuse for getting up should be to go to the bathroom or get up and eat a meal at the table, but she goes right back to the chair once she is done. She might even fall asleep from sitting there, which is great for a sick kid LOL