Giving your child medicines

Every child will need to take medicine at some point, and we understand that this can sometimes be a worry. This leaflet explains how to make taking medicine easier for children, and their parents and carers.

If you’re worried about your child having to take medicines, this anxiety is often noticed and passed on to your child. It can be hard, but it is important to try to stay positive.

“We make it fun as they pick up on negative vibes and emotions, which is remembered the next time and the whole experience is very painful for both parent and child.” - Mum of a seven year old

Try to set a time for trying to give your child their medicines to help build routine. This can help you to remember to give them at the right time every day.

Most medicines have a ‘window’ of time in which they can be given, so there will be no harm in leaving it for an hour if your child is upset.

It may be easier if your child has been distracted by something fun for a while beforehand.

If you have other children who are also taking medicines, it can be helpful to arrange it so children take their medicines together if possible. Sometimes sibling rivalry can be helpful!

If this isn’t an option, you can try to give the medicine to a teddy or a favourite toy before giving it to your child.

“It is amazing how when a sibling takes a tablet, so can the patient!”- Mum of two children aged five and eight.

Being honest and explaining what the medicine is used for can make giving medicines easier. Even simply explaining that the medicine will make your child feel better can help. If it is likely that the medicine will be used long-term, it is especially helpful to explain why it is needed.

Explaining how the medicine works, can also be helpful. For example, explaining to a child that antibiotics hurt germs and fight off infection.

“Tell them it’s to make their head or tummy etc. better.” - Mum of a two year old.

You may have heard the saying ‘a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down’. However, there are other great ways to encourage your child to take their medicines without sugar!

Many parents have found using star charts to be a success. For instance, if a child takes their medicine without a fuss, they get a star on their star chart. When they have built up a certain number of stars, they are allowed to choose a reward. It is important to be consistent with star charts and to make sure the reward is small enough to be repeated if your child continues to do well.

“My daughter needed 10 eye drops a day and each time she had one without crying or moaning, she got a star.

"When the chart was full, she chose a hamster. As the chart filled up, she almost started looking forward to her medication.” - Mum of two children aged five and eight.

If your child needs to take medicines regularly, or multiple medicines a day, it can make them feel like they are not in control. It can be helpful to try and give them a little bit of control back through their medicines. For example, allowing them to take their medicine in a location of their choice or allowing them to decide what time to take their medicine (if the medicine does not need to be taken at a particular time).

“I allowed my daughter to choose where she had her medicine (eye drops) – sometimes it was under the duvet, at other times it was in the bath, but at least she felt in control.” - Mum of two children aged five and eight.

The following people can help:

• Your local pharmacist
• Ward pharmacist – if your child is in hospital
• Play specialists – if your child is in hospital
• Outpatient pharmacists – when you are collecting medicines from outpatients
• The Medicines Information team – please see contact details below.

• GOSH pharmacy Medicines Information: 020 7829 8608. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
• GOSH switchboard: 020 7405 9200

Written by: Medicines Information

Reference number: 1225MED0004

Last reviewed: December 2025

Next review due: December 2029