How to Get Kids to Take Tamiflu

When your child has a viral infection that requires the prescription drug Tamiflu, the hardest part can be getting him or her to simply take the medication. Even a healthy child finds medicine unpalatable. Add in the fussiness and frustration that comes with an illness, and you probably have very unreasonable child on your hands. Expect the resistance and prepare to handle it as best as you can.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic syringe
• Dropper
• Special spoon
• Favorite drink
• Chocolate syrup
• Sugar

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Instructions

• 1

  Use a plastic measuring syringe or dropper if you have an infant or a smaller child. When administering the medication, shoot for the back of the throat or inside the cheek. This will help make it less likely that your child will taste the Tamiflu, and subsequently spit out.

• 2

  Give your child a special spoon to take the medication with. Allow him or her to pick it out at the store.

• 3

  Let your older kids control over the Tamiflu by allowing him or her to decide when it will be taken. This could be after breakfast, before dinner or during a nightly reading session.

• 4

  Find ways to help your child realize that the medicine will help make him or her feel better. Give him a goal, such as a trip to the movies or an amusement park. Remind your sick little one that this trip can only be possible after the illness and the medication are over.

• 5

  Dip the spoon in chocolate syrup or sugar. Place the medication onto the sweet spoon before it is given.

• 6

  Offer your child a favorite drink, but only after the Tamiflu is ingested.