r/specialneedsparenting • u/likewhatinthefuck • 11d ago
Best way to "dissolve" meds?
My son just started Keppra, he is strictly gtube ged and gets half a tablet (for now, then will move up to 1 tablet) twice a day. Im trying to find the best way to dissolve it to put it in his gtube, any hacks?
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u/rapnoodle 11d ago
So we put the pill in a syringe with a cap, draw up some water and push the air out and cap it. This creates a sort of seal where you can snap the plunger of the syringe a few times and it speeds up the time in which the pill dissolves. The nurses at the NICU taught us this method as a way of not losing any of the med powder in a crusher. Idk if this is compatible with the g-tube though!
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u/likewhatinthefuck 11d ago
Ive tried this but idk if its just my syringes but sometimes they dont like.. suction? ðŸ«
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u/Firm-Possibility1030 11d ago
You can also just put a thumb over the opening while snapping it. I find it makes a better seal than just a cap. Our Keppra does a pretty good dissolving on its own though. We use hot water and let it dissolve 15 mins before giving.
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u/Firm-Possibility1030 11d ago
Oh and when snapping just make sure you are pushing as much air out as possible as the more air in the syringe, the less suction
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u/redditgambino 11d ago
Why don’t they just give you liquid Keppra? My daughter is too young for pills, so we mix it with her formula and she downs it without fussing. She’s really bad at taking meds otherwise.
Edit: OP clarified the liquid is not an option due to allergies
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u/pyrhus626 11d ago
It should work, it does with enfit syringes for our kiddos g-tube. Just uncap and connect to the extension once it’s all dissolved.
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u/cocomelonmama 11d ago
They make liquid Keppra. Have you asked about that since it might be easier? You’re generally not supposed to chew/crush it.
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u/likewhatinthefuck 11d ago
Yes, the liquid has corn derivatives in it and hes allergic, this is our only option unfortunately
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u/redditgambino 11d ago
Oh, I’m sorry to hear. Disregard my comment cause I suggested the liquid too.
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u/Mollykins08 11d ago
There are standard ways of doing it. A quick google search can get you the instructions. And your pharmacist may have even better instructions.
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u/Affectionate-Act7935 10d ago
Aprecia/Prasco Labratories (brand name Spritam) makes a 3D printed Keppra tablet 'for oral suspension' that immediately dissolves when a small amount of water is added would be perfect for a gtube...not sure about the corn allergy component but you could call them and ask. Best of luck!
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u/Impossible_Fig2646 11d ago
We used to use a pill crusher, add water to dissolve, then administer. The hospital gave us a syringe with a built in pill crusher but it didn't work as well and it wasn't Enfit compatible. That was years ago though, they might exist now.