Mom needs help again.

[jonnell]

Help guys  I need some advice they gave Jenna a pill to swallow(Plaquenil) and we cant get her to swallow it any suggestions?   Ive tried mashing it and putting it in a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, Choc Milk and French toast.   She noticed the taste and wouldnt eat it.  She really needs to take this medicine.      Jonnell

[dbab]

Some of the generic Plaqs are really yucky!!  Poor thing    My mom always gave my meds that were in pill form  when I was young in a big bite of ice cream.  You don't actually chew ice cream, just kind of swallow it and it basically goes down at the same time and it is pretty easy to hide if it doesn't have too much of a taste.  If this one isn't that bad of a taste, just the uncoated texture the problem than this may work for you.  I hope others have some ideas.

[lynnmarie219]

Hi Jonnell!

When we have people at work that have a hard time swallowing medications, we usually use applesauce or pudding to help with taking the medicine. It usually works for us....I hope you have the same good luck! It kind of helps it to slide right down, while masking the taste too....and yes...plaquenil takes oh so yucky if it starts to dissolve in your mouth!

[Scottietottie]

Hi  

The icecream sounds like a good idea. Peanut butter can be kinda 'claggy' if your mouth is feeling dry. The other thing you could do is cut the pill into quarters and try the ice cream thing. Also talk to her and say this is just the way it is. Your sure she wants to feel better - you certainly want her to feel better and taking this medicine may be one way of getting there. Does she like yogurt? its nice and slidy too. Or jam/jelly whatever its called there. Poor kid is going to have to get used to swallowing stuff.

At four, at least she's old enough to talk too. I remember having to give one of mine antibiotics before she was talking age. I was on my own with her. I had to sit on her, hold her shoulders and arms down with my knees and then hold her nose to make her open her mouth. (It was liquid - not a pill) When she got to talking age I suggested that taking it herself would be a lot more comfortable than being sat on.

Good luck - take care - Scottie  

[KYMOM]

I do feel for Jenna.  So much for a little one to go through.  Ice cream is a great idea.  You could also try flavored yogurt if Jenna likes yogurt.  If the pill can be crushed it can be mixed into the yogurt.  This might mask the taste enough.  Good luck.  It looks like you are getting great suggestions.  And give Jenna a hug from me.  Roxanne

[JannaLee]

I send hugs from me too.

And I like the idea of cutting the pill into quarters and putting each piece into a separate bite of ice cream.

She's such a tiny little thing, I cannot imagine swallowing a tablet like Plaquenil when I was 4!

Janna

[wednesday mc haggis]

janna

oh i had such a problem getting my young un to take his meds for constipation, dont blame him they taste awful! and as  a nurse in elderly many years, ive had as much meds spat back at me by dementia patinets as they seemsed to take :-s,.

   what i did with my lad, was put up a chart if he got the smilley face he had taken his meds, if he got a sad face to hadnt, if he got 7 smilley faces that week he got a trip to his fav sweet shop for something special and it if didnt take them he didnt go, that and i found if i mixed it with yogurt, well fromage frais for if he got a chunk of fruit in the yogurt he retched,  mixed it in with that , jam is a good suggestion, no idea hw many patinets i got to take meds in a spoonful of jam, and for those that found swallowing more difficult it went over better.

    work out what jenna`s fav thing is, and make a reward chart, it worked for us, hopefuly it will work for you .

T x

[jonnell]

Thank you all for your wonderful advice.  We thought we got it last night,  She showed us her mouth and it was empty but then the little bugger took a drink and spit it back in the cup  she had it under her tongue lol.  And the bad part is she has 2 pills to take the other is naproxen which is a big pill.   But the ice cream sounds like a great idea.  Thanks guys  Hugs and Kisses   Jonnell and Jenna

[Scottietottie]

Hi Jonell 

I'm surprised they've given Naproxen in pill form. I'm pretty sure you can get effective anti inflammatories in liquid form for children. I'd definitely look into it!

Take care - Scottie 

[Victoria05202000]

I thought they can give Naproxen in a liquid form, Just like ScottieTottie said. I am afraid I am not much help with the plaquenil.  I have a 4 and 2 year old and havn't had to experience giving them a pill yet.

I think there are some good suggestions. I hope you figure out a way for her to take it. She sounds like a smart one!  LOL

Take Care!
Vicky

[missyb]

Ask the pharmacist if you can crush it, if you can I'd get a pill crusher or smash it between 2 spoons, and I'd go with applesauce.
for sjogrins they actually suggest taking a bite of applesauce with your food as it's good lubricant and helps prevent things getting stuck in your throat from the dryness. Ttherwise you'll be feeding her ice cream every single day, apple sauce might be a bit healthier.

[baddabingtim]

Make a milk shake - put some ice cream in blender and pills - some chocolate syrup - and no bad taste

[dbab]

I just read somewhere that giving it with a glob of honey might work.  And chocolate syrup also usually masks the taste as baddabingtim pointed out.  If I see anything else that sounds promising I will let you know.

missyb, I know what you are saying about the ice cream, it was just something that worked for me and also for my son.  My feeling is that if its the only thing that will work, then a bite of ice cream once a day is not too bad and better than not taking the Plaq at all.  I do agree with trying all the healthy stuff first.