Question re: antibiotics - cross post

[LaraW]

I posted this on the Healthy Living board, but thought I'd post here as well.

I have a question about antibiotics.

DD was diagnosed with an ear infection last Saturday (1/8) and was given a prescription for a course of amoxicillin. The prescription was to take 1 1/2 tsp two times a day for 10 days, which we have done.

Today is the 10th day, and I only had 3/4 of a teaspoon left to give her. I called the pharmacy to see if I could get enough to complete the prescription, and the pharmacist told me that as long as she has taken the full amount that was dispensed, that she should be OK. He said that it is possible that the graduated measuring thing that they gave us was slightly off, and that she could have gotten a tiny amount over 1 1/2 tsp.

Does this sound right? I have never taken antibiotics in liquid form like this (the only times I recall taking antibiotics, they have been in pill form). I'm just wondering if I need to call my doctor's office and ask them to call the pharmacy for a refill.

Thanks!

[Blissful_in_TX]

I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but I think it should be fine. Even if she was getting slightly more than she was supposed to each time (lets say 1.6 tsp), she still took the entire amount over a well spread out time.

Here is an artical on ear infections and antibiotics:
http://www.drgreene.com/21_645.html

It says that some doctors are recommending only 5 day treatments, and that "No sound, scientific basis exists for the 10-day tradition". So if she got over 9 days, I would think that it's sufficient.

[Beth]

We had the same thing happen and were told the same thing. Those thick suspensions cling to the bottle, the spoons, etc., and I think that can throw it off a bit too. But when you realize that they dose based on weight and it's done within a range, it's not that exacting to begin with.

My boys got over the ear infections and are happy and healthy now (except for the cast on the wrist, but we can't blame the antibiotics for that one ;)). I'm sure your DD will be fine with the last half-dose, and probably very happy to have it all gone. :)

[mbrogier]

I think Lara and Bliss are right. Also, the machines aren't completely accurate. Vials of medicine for injections often have a little left over than what the bottle says. I saw that a lot with my grandfather's insulin, and my mom said that the flu vaccination vials her town got had a half a dose extra in each vial. (that may explain the shortage) :rolleyes:
My husband was taking some liquid for his stomach, and that was always off a little, too.