Author Topic: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?  (Read 2418 times)

jeromedawg

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Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« on: November 13, 2019, 04:43:20 PM »
Hey all,

So my son got strep from one of the other kids at his preschool. On our way to the vacation rental with some friends and their kids, the preschool emailed about a "strep" warning. Overnight he woke up with a really sore throat and fever - we just gave him Ibuprofen to quell the fever and pain and he seemed OK for the rest of the time. We confirmed strep after taking him to the doctor on Monday and were prescribed cephalexin.
My wife thinks our daughter picked it up as well from the weekend and just being around her brother in general. Do you guys think it's OK to give her the same cephalexin prescription as well? For our son, we avoided penicillin because when he was younger (maybe closer to 2) he had taken some for another infection and had a reaction (don't recall if it was hives, rash, or something else but definitely red spots). Of course, at that time he had *a lot* of food sensitivities that weren't necessarily allergies. He hasn't reacted to the cephalexin at this point (they say there's a 5-10% chance of reaction if there is an allergy to penicillin).
Our daughter has never taken antibiotics (for a bacterial infection at least) though. Anyway, this stuff is like $25 a bottle and may be used perhaps several more times for our son where there will definitely be some amount leftover. Just trying to see if we can/should maximize on it and avoid the cost of another appointment AND prescription.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2019, 04:48:16 PM by jeromedawg »

Gronnie

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Re: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2019, 04:49:26 PM »
1) You should always take the medicine for as long as prescribed (generally this means there will be none left)
2) Giving people medicine when they may not need it is a big way that antibiotic resistant strains develop

BECABECA

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Re: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2019, 05:07:03 PM »
That’s really odd that you will have leftover pills after your son finishes his treatment. Every time I’ve been prescribed antibiotics, they have been prescribed in the exact amount the doctor intends you to take and that you are to finish taking the entire amount prescribed, even if you start to feel better earlier, since stopping halfway through will allow the bacteria to grow back and possibly grow back stronger.

I’d recommend checking the label again, I have a feeling your son is supposed to continue taking the antibiotics until they are all gone.

skywatcher

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Re: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2019, 05:11:02 PM »
I've never heard of a doctor ever giving out leftover antibiotics. I know it sucks to bring another in for an appointment, but you should do this for another prescription.

jeromedawg

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Re: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2019, 05:11:23 PM »
That’s really odd that you will have leftover pills after your son finishes his treatment. Every time I’ve been prescribed antibiotics, they have been prescribed in the exact amount the doctor intends you to take and that you are to finish taking the entire amount prescribed, even if you start to feel better earlier, since stopping halfway through will allow the bacteria to grow back and possibly grow back stronger.

I’d recommend checking the label again, I have a feeling your son is supposed to continue taking the antibiotics until they are all gone.

So I just looked at the bottle and it states "200mL (when mixed)" - prescription instructions state " take 6mL by mouth two times daily for 10 days" - that's 120mL which is a little more than half the bottle.

BECABECA

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Re: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2019, 05:50:48 PM »
That’s really odd that you will have leftover pills after your son finishes his treatment. Every time I’ve been prescribed antibiotics, they have been prescribed in the exact amount the doctor intends you to take and that you are to finish taking the entire amount prescribed, even if you start to feel better earlier, since stopping halfway through will allow the bacteria to grow back and possibly grow back stronger.

I’d recommend checking the label again, I have a feeling your son is supposed to continue taking the antibiotics until they are all gone.

So I just looked at the bottle and it states "200mL (when mixed)" - prescription instructions state " take 6mL by mouth two times daily for 10 days" - that's 120mL which is a little more than half the bottle.

Well damn, that is really weird that there’ll be leftovers. It’s weird enough that I’d actually call the doctor or the pharmacist and confirm that the dose printed on the label is correct.

But even if they confirm there’ll be 80ml left, then you’re in a situation where you’re trying to figure out what the dosage should be for your daughter. I’m assuming your son and daughter aren’t the same weight. For children, dosages are often based on weight. The issue with trying to figure out the dosage on your own is that you’re opening yourself up for big risks... if you dose too low, it doesn’t kill the bacteria and it comes back stronger. But dose too high and that has problems too, like disrupting the sensitive gut microbiota ecosystem.

If it was my daughter in this situation, I’d take her in and get her own prescription. And I’d call and confirm the labeled dose on my son’s prescription.

SimpleCycle

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Re: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2019, 08:26:24 PM »
I’ve never had antibiotic pills left, but I have had liquid left with the kids.  They mix full bottles and dose by weight so it’s not exact.

I wouldn’t give antibiotics without a prescription and a confirmed strep test.  Too many potential side effects to give without a positive test, plus they’d likely give amoxicillin or penicillin rather than cephalixin if she’s not known to be allergic.  And you’d also need to know the right dosing.

jeromedawg

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Re: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2019, 10:11:01 PM »
I’ve never had antibiotic pills left, but I have had liquid left with the kids.  They mix full bottles and dose by weight so it’s not exact.

I wouldn’t give antibiotics without a prescription and a confirmed strep test.  Too many potential side effects to give without a positive test, plus they’d likely give amoxicillin or penicillin rather than cephalixin if she’s not known to be allergic.  And you’d also need to know the right dosing.


Ah that makes more sense now regarding mixing full bottles/dosage by weight.

Yea, we will probably just take her in as symptoms pop-up. She feels a bit warm and so we gave her Ibuprofen. She has been coughing but isn't complaining about her throat hurting...yet. I think when that happens we will take her in. When a child has strep and is contagious, will it *always* result in the other kids getting strep? Or are there times where they'll just get a cold and not necessarily strep, etc?

frugalnacho

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Re: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2019, 08:01:31 AM »
Usually you are given the exact amount of drug needed and are supposed to complete treatment.  I think with kids having smaller doses, and many antibiotics being manufactured in set increments, you may have some left over.  We were just in a similar boat - our son had an ear infection and was supposed to take 6mL/dose, twice per day, for 10 days.  We received two 100 mL bottles meaning we'd had 80mL left over.  I think that's just because the antibiotics are sold in 100mL increments though, and apparently not 120mL increments. 

Probably a bad idea to play doctor and give your child left over antibiotics for a variety of reasons already mentioned by other posts.  Plus you won't even have a full dose left to give her.  Taking less than a full dose is probably worse than not taking anything. It sucks, but I'd just wait and see if she gets it and make another dr appointment.

tyrannostache

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Re: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2019, 12:54:26 PM »
No. Just no. Do not do this.

One kid getting strep does not mean that your other kid will get strep. Don't give prescription meds unless a doctor prescribes them. End of story.

If you have some left over and you end up having to bring your other kid to get checked out, bring them with you and ask the doctor or pharmacist.

Sibley

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Re: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2019, 08:10:39 AM »
In addition, I'm pretty sure it's illegal to share prescription medications. There are some valid reasons for that (plenty of dumb ones too).

Metalcat

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Re: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2019, 08:30:01 AM »
I just...I just can't...

No. Do not do this.
Even us people who prescribe antibiotics don't do so casually. Responsible prescribing is incredibly important, and dosages are critically important.

What you are proposing is that you do the diagnosis and prescribing for your child instead of providing them qualified medical care.

This isn't children's Tylenol.
DO NOT do this.

frugaldrummer

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Re: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2019, 08:42:39 AM »
Yes, call your doctor and get a separate prescription for your daughter, based on her weight. Your doctor may want to test her or might feel that the odds are so great (based on timing and exposure) that they will just prescribe a dose for her.

The reason to treat for ten days with strep is to avoid the risk of a serious Autoimmune disorder, rheumatic fever, which can cause heart problems.

WerKater

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Re: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2019, 08:44:43 AM »
Absolutely give both children exactly the anitbiotics as described by a doctor. Hence: Do not give your daughter antibiotics that were not prescribed.

I’ve never had antibiotic pills left, but I have had liquid left with the kids.  They mix full bottles and dose by weight so it’s not exact.
We also regularly had antibiotic liquid left with our daughter. The prescribed dose depends heavily on the child's weight and you cannot get arbitrary doses at a pharmacy for many antibiotics. Dispose of the rest when the treatment is done or when the doctor tells you that you can stop.

wenchsenior

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Re: Kids sharing prescription antibiotics for strep throat?
« Reply #14 on: November 17, 2019, 10:12:48 AM »
No, please do not do this.  Do not ever give antibiotics unless there is a confirmed bacterial infection or a doctor directly prescribes them (and even some doctors give them out IMO too quickly).  We have a huge problem with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and stuff like this (partial dosing, dosing when infection not confirmed) is part of why it's so bad.