Bitter medicines often lead to refusal unless some of the following preventive steps are taken:
Some children aged 1 to 4 years vigorously refuse to take medicines even after you have tried to hide the taste. If the medicine is not essential to recovery (such as most nonprescription medicines for coughs, colds, and fevers), stop giving it. If you are not sure of how important the medicine is, call your healthcare provider for advice. If the drug is essential (such as most antibiotics), use the following recommendations:
Some children have trouble swallowing pills and capsules.
The next time your healthcare provider prescribes a medicine, be sure to mention that your child has this common problem. Your provider may be able to prescribe a medicine that tastes better.