? re: dosage for meds...I am feeling rather du..uh..mb..

Rooney's picture
Submitted by Rooney on Wed, 01/05/2005 - 2:36pm.

As most of you know, we got hit with strep here at the Pistilli household over the holidays.
I already had liquid penicilian for Eric, and per recommendation from doc, started Gabriel on same dosage. 4 days later, I was able to get Gabriel his own prescrip, and was to just give ERic what Eric used. I hope you are able to follow me.
The pharmacy gave me this syringe thingee to dispense, but is next to impossible to get it to work with bottle, so I used a teaspoon measuring spoon. I have tons left over??
What did I do?
Gabriel last dose was Monday, and I still had over a half a bottle left. His throat hurts today, so I started it up again...
I feel really dumb....


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silverbear's picture

perhaps I can help with the math

Submitted by silverbear on Wed, 01/05/2005 - 3:22pm.

what was the dosage?
how much was in the bottle?

Kerri's picture

couple of ideas

Submitted by Kerri on Wed, 01/05/2005 - 7:33pm.

firstly, most teaspoons are less than the 5ml size of a medicine spoon, so that should give you a jumping off point on how muh you were giving. I'd say maybe it's a 3 or 4ml dose in a teaspoon, depending on your teaspoons!

secondly... do you have those little medicine cups that come on top of some mouthwashes and stuff?? I've used those before, and even if they don't have the measurement on it, you can pour in the approximate dose and then use the syringe from that. Equally you can pour a bit of the medicine into almost anything and use the syringe from that. I've had to do that in the past when I could only get medicine down the kids with the syringe when they were younger.

and don't feel dumb Anne. You know we all do silly stuff like this, but obviously next time you'll have found a better way and it will be one more thing you're in control of.

I won't ask how come you had leftover penicillin... Just remember to be extra careful with antibiotics, especially for kids. Make sure you're using the right type for the right thing (though penicillin is moderately effective with a wide range of problems), and make sure you don't keep any of the antibiotics past a safe date. And make sure you have the right dosage for the right age group too since smaller kids vary greatly due to their size.

I prefer to self-medicate on most things too and you do get a feel for it, but just be extra careful with antibiotics.

Hope you sort it all out and the kids get better soon. Warm drinks, not cold if possible, but certainly plenty of fluids and plenty of rest - you know the routine! Smiling

Kerri.

Rooney's picture

dosage vs how much

Submitted by Rooney on Wed, 01/05/2005 - 7:36pm.

okay...
pen 250mg/5ml 100ML
give 1 teaspoon every 8 hrs for 10 days
we have two bottles for Gabriel as the pharmacy was low on penn, I had to go back for the second bottle.

I gave them it 3x a day for 10 days both boys. There was another bottle, that Eric had, and it had some left when he was done with the 10 days, with Gabriel using his for 4 days?

I used the syringe thingee the pharmacy gave me, and squeezed water in it to the tsp measurement and it all fit in the measuring teaspoon I used.

I am gonna call the doctor tomorrow, no matter what!

AnneP.
A child enters your home and makes so much noise you can hardly stand it--then departs, leaving the house so quiet you think you'll go mad. -Dr. J.A. Holmes

Becky's picture

nothing to contribute

Submitted by Becky on Wed, 01/05/2005 - 10:35pm.

But I have had that happen to me with my cats' liquid antibiotics as well as my own, even when using the dosage cups and/ or syringes that came with them. I don't know what it means. You could ask the pharmacist, which might be more productive than asking the doc.

Lynn's picture

Don't feel dumb

Submitted by Lynn on Wed, 01/05/2005 - 11:13pm.

Call your pharmacist. He will probably confirm that they gave you far more than you needed. Liquid antibiotics are usually sold by the bottle regardless of the actual dosage. Rarely do you have to take the entire bottle, UNLIKE antibiotics in pill form.

Lynn Siprelle, Editor

silverbear's picture

math

Submitted by silverbear on Thu, 01/06/2005 - 4:00am.

So, each child should have received 3x5x10=150 ml of medication for a total of 300 mls dispensed. If you had 3 bottles, that should have just about covered it.
Have you changed everyone's toothbrushes? That's an often overlooked source of re-infection when it comes to colds and sore throats.
Hope everyone feels better soon.
Rose

Rooney's picture

I love my doctor!

Submitted by Rooney on Fri, 01/07/2005 - 1:44pm.

His response..."sometimes that happens, I trust you, you are a good mom, and I am sure you gave the right amount. Stop giving it to Gabriel now, and since Eric has strep again, I'll start him on Keflex, and will kick it out. Hopefully, Gabriel is better, if not bring him in, and we start all over. Don't worry, you did fine mom"
I feel much better!!

AnneP.
A child enters your home and makes so much noise you can hardly stand it--then departs, leaving the house so quiet you think you'll go mad. -Dr. J.A. Holmes

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