Hi,all; My 6 y/o is on Strattera (36 mg morn and 18 mg night) and Ritalin (5mg/d). We are working on teaching him to swallow pills but aren't there yet.

The manufacturer, doc, and our pharmacist all suggested we mix the opened Strattera capsules w/OJ. Having tasted this concoction, I can vouch that it is vile beyond belief. It has a really strong, awful chemical taste. My son bravely chugs the "yucky medicine" and follows it w/regular juice. At the suggestion of other docs we've also tried mixing it with: grape juice, root beer, and other strongly flavored beverages -all to no avail.

Has anyone found anything that better masks the Strattera taste?

Thanks so much,

Amy

The manufacturer, doc, and our pharmacist all suggested we mix the opened Strattera capsules w/OJ.Just for the record, "The manufacturer" (Lilly) does not recommend opening the Strattera capsules according to their PI sheet!

STRATTERA is an ocular irritant. STRATTERA capsules are not intended to be opened. In the event of capsule content coming in contact with the eye, the affected eye should be flushed immediately with water, and medical advice obtained. Hands and any potentially contaminated surfaces should be washed as soon as possible.

From: http://pi.lilly.com/us/strattera-pi.pdf
I'm quoting this only so our other readers will know the possible dangers involved with opening Strattera capsules!

We called Lily and talked to their "Strattera guy" (and our pharmacist and doc) before moving ahead w/opening the capsules. I should have mentioned that, sorry. And, yes, I goofed but not giving a disclaimer. My apologies.

Still, my son keeps asking "does anybody in the computer have the answer yet?!"

Happy Thanksgiving, all.
Amy and the house o' yucky medicine

Have you tried putting the capsules in a peanut butter sandwich or maybe a banana yet? Most people who are trying to give pills to kids recommend those as the easiest way to get them down. You don't have to open them, and the texture of both of those things should help-- your son shouldn't chew too much and swallow the bite down. Probably won't even notice it. Plus, it's good to have strattera with food.

If I HAD to put the powder part in a drink, I'd try something thicker, like a milkshake. I would think an acid-y drink like OJ would just activate the chemical taste. A milkshake might hide it-- and besides when a drink is really cold you taste it less.

Good luck!

Thanks so much for your quick reply and suggestions -I hadn't thought of a milk-based drink before. We'll try a milkshake or thick chocolate
milk tonight.

Thanks again- keep those ideas coming!

"A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.";)

Try mixing it with pudding.

Me :D

That is what I was thinking. A pudding cup or perhaps sprinkle the capsules and mix into an individual cup of applesauce. I prefer the strawberry flavored applesauce (yummy!). Good luck!

Thanks again.. we've tried everything and are still working on swallowing the darn capsules..Nothing really masks the taste well enough. I heard that kethcup worked for one kid, maple syrup for another (neither for my guy).
Thanks again, all.

Pizza? A bite you don't have to chew much...maybe with a spicy topping if he likes that.

For swallowing the capsules - have you tried this: give your son a mouthful of food, have him chew it, and then put the capsule in his mouth and have him swallow it along with the food?

When his mouth and throat are expecting water, then the capsule can be harder to swallow because it feels more "foreign". If his mouth and throat are expecting to swallow food, the capsule may go down easier.

Just a thought. May or may not work to make the intact capsule go down easier.
If he still needs something to mask the taste of an open capsule - how about something sour? Or extremely spicy? Most of the things you list seem to be more sweet. Sour may mask a medicine taste better - like strong lemonade, or sour candies. Or spicy - salsa, cajun spices, hot oriental sauces, etc.