My daughter is going to be starting Prilosec 1.5 mL two times per day (switched from Prevacid solutabs 7.5 mg two times per day) I have a few questions about it:
1. Is 1.5 mL a high, low, or common dose (oh she is 7 months old and about 14 pounds)?
2. She is on Erythromycin (.6 mL three times per day for possible DGE). When I went to go refil it it smelled like grapes. They told me it is flavored from the company and you can't get it without. I have been told that if you flavor Prilosec it can make it not effective....so if the Erythromycin is flavored can it interfere with the Prilosec? If so how should I be giving it...Prilosec 30 minutes before and Erythromycin after feeding?
3. What is the shelf life for the Prilosec (suspension)? Was told 1 month in the fridge?

Thanks for your help!!!

Hi!

Okay, let me see if I can answer these for you (of course, the other ladies will fill in everything I forgot, which is likely a lot!).

First, the reason that many docs dont' like flavoring P'sec or Prevacid is because they are compounded and the flavoring used affects the stability of the compound. Basically, the flavoring added can render the compound less effective. However, when added to a suspension, like Erythromycin, it doesn't affect it because the suspension is much more stable. (Does any of this make sense?) :-) If you give the E'mycin half an hour away from the Prilosec, as you indicated, there should be no issue with the flavoring affecting it. I think it has more to do with the stability of the compound over time than interacting in the stomach.

Secondly, it's been eons since my kids were little *sniffle* and I cannot remember what dose of which meds each was on at varying ages. However, I can tell you that if you've gone from the solutab to the compounded form, the compounded form of P'sec tastes *BAD*. Baking soda is the main ingredient (aside from the P'sec) used in the compound and it leaves a gross aftertaste. Give it to her and see how it goes, but if you see gagging/choking/spitting/crying, this might be why.

You do want to start out on a low dose so that you have wiggle room to increase if needed. Try her on this dosage and see how she does.

As for shelf life, the rule of thumb most of us have been given is that a compound really loses effectiveness after 14 days (2 weeks); however, many of us have had issues with insurance companies not wanting to refill every 2 weeks. If this is the case with you, ask your pharmacist to charge you for the full 30-day supply, but only give you a 14 day supply...then go back in 2 weeks and have the other half compounded. Make sense?