A spoonful of flavor helps the medicine go
down Saying “take it, it’s good for you,” and emptying a
spoonful of medicine in your child’s mouth doesn’t always work. While
it may be helping them, children often put up a fight taking medicine
because of the taste.
Thanks to a new flavoring technique, the protests should lessen.
More than 40 different flavors have been developed that can be added to
children’s medicines. Among the flavors available are chocolate, lemon,
lime and strawberry. A flavoring fee typically applies; call your local
pharmacy for details.
“The flavor drops are available at area pharmacies, and do not
interfere with the effectiveness of medication,” says Dr. Ken Wible,
pediatrician, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics. Still, Wible
suggests consulting a doctor before flavoring any medicine.
If a medicine tastes bad and you do not get flavoring, Dr. Wible
suggests other alternatives, such as flavored syrups or pancake syrup.
In addition, carbonated drinks can help cover up the taste.
“If the flavoring is being done at home, it is important to first
measure out the proper dosage,” says Wible. “If medicine is added to a
beverage, it is also important that the full amount is consumed.”
Dr. Wible also stresses the importance of measuring the right
amount of medicine given to your child.
Using a large table spoon or even the medicine bottle cap isn’t
advisable; they can cause you to measure out the wrong dosage. The best
thing is to use a medicinal spoon because it has the measurements
clearly marked.
