Ketogenic Diets

APPENDIX A
Medications and Keto-Friendly Products

MEDICATIONS

• Nearly all anticonvulsants are now generic. As a result, some of the lists of “preferred” medications we used (including those given in the 4th edition of this book) are out-of-date and no longer valid. For example, zonisamide has about 20 different generic formulations, so it’s impossible to know the carbohydrate contents of each! In general, IV is better than pills. Pills are better than liquid or chewable forms. However, ask your pharmacist.

• Carbohydrates are frequently used as fillers and flavor enhancers in medications.

• Even small amounts of carbohydrate found in medications can sometimes affect seizure control on the diet.

• Many over-the-counter and prescription medications are not available in sugar-free forms. (Some may be labeled “sugar-free” when they are very low in carbohydrate, but there still may be enough to affect ketosis in your child.)

• If you are unsure about the contents of a medication you should call your pharmacy and explain the situation, and they should be able to help.

• As a general rule, avoid any medications in syrup or elixir forms.

• Compounding pharmacies can make sugar-free forms of some medications.

• Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about giving IV forms of medications by mouth (may require dose adjustment, however).

• Antibiotics can be particularly difficult because almost all contain carbohydrate. Work with your pharmacy to find the form with the lowest carbohydrate content.

• Certain medications, such as antihistamines and antibiotics, can affect seizure control even if they do not contain carbohydrates.

• As a last resort, if a medication with carbohydrates must be given, you can add a small amount of butter or oil to make it ketogenic.

Commonly Used Medications

• Feverall^® suppositories (0 carb)—best option for fever, teething, headache, pain—you can buy them over the counter at a local drugstore.

• Diastat^® suppositories (no carb)

• Tylenol Junior Strength Caplets^®—traces of carbohydrate, but less than 1 kcal per caplet, and young children may only need ½ of a tablet

• Diabetic Tussin DM^®—no sorbitol, saccharin-based cough suppressant, expectorant—best option for cough/cold liquid medication—the rest have tons of sorbitol!

• Miralax^®—for constipation

• Benefiber^®—for constipation

• Polycitra K^® and Bicitra^®—for kidney stones

• Augmentin^®—adult capsules—0 carbohydrate antibiotic

• Saline nose spray

• Vicks^® vapo rub

• Original Neosporin^® first aid ointment

• Desitin^® ointment (original—not creamy)

• Genasyme^® infant drops—sacharrin-based simethecone drops for gas/bloating (like Mylicon^® drops)—made by Goldline/Ivax (800-327-4114 / 305-575-6000)

KETO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS

Sunscreens

Coppertone Sport^®

Coppertone Oil Free^®

Lotions

Johnson’s Baby Oil^®

Johnson’s Soft Lotion^®—24 hour moisture

Johnson’s Creamy Baby Oil^®

Curel^® lotion—original

Lubriderm Seriously Sensitive Lotion^®

Nivea Body Original Lotion^®

Shampoos and Conditioners

Pantene Pro V Classic Clean Shampoo^®

Pantene Pro V Classic Clean Conditioner^®

Pantene Pro V 2 in 1—Shampoo plus Conditioner^®

L’Oreal Kids Orange Mango Smoothie Shampoo^®

L’Oreal Kids Grape Conditioner^®

L’Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2 in 1 Shampoo^®—Burst of Watermelon (green bottle)

Johnson’s No More Tangles Spray Detangler^®

Baby Magic Gentle Hair and Body Wash^®

Baby Magic Gentle Baby Shampoo^®

Body Wash/Soaps

Dove Sensitive Skin Soap^®

Dove Moisturizing Body Bar^®

Dove Moisturizing Body Wash^®—Sensitive Skin

Baby Magic Gentle Baby Bath^®—Original Baby Scent

Lip Care

Vaseline^®

Chapstick^® Cherry Lip Balm

Toothpaste

Arm and Hammer Original Paste^®—best choice

Arm and Hammer Advance White^®—best choice

Tom’s of Maine^®—peppermint or spearmint paste (trace sorbitol)

Baby Supplies

Baby Orajel Teething Swabs^® (no sorbitol)

Desitin Ointment^®—(original—not the creamy version)

Johnson’s No More Tangles Spray Detangler^®

Johnson’s Baby Oil^®

Johnson’s Soft Lotion^®—24-Hour Moisture

Johnson’s Creamy Baby Oil^®

Baby Magic Gentle Hair and Body Wash^®

Baby Magic Gentle Baby Shampoo^®

Baby Magic Moisturizing Baby Lotion^®—powder scent

Baby Magic Gentle Baby Bath^®—original baby scent

Extracts

McCormick^®—Pure Almond, Pure Lemon, Pure Orange, Pure Peppermint, Pure Anise

Bickford^®—This company makes many keto-friendly extracts, including vanilla. Their number is included on your phone number list. When you call them to order, tell them that you are looking for pure extracts with no carbohydrate added.

Sweeteners

Liquid Sweet & Low^®

Liquid Sweet 10^®

Saccharin grains—but you must dissolve them in hot water prior to adding to foods/drinks!

Stevia^® Pure Extract (liquid)—can be ordered via the Internet

Don’t use large quantities of powder forms of sweeteners, because they contain carbohydrates!

Deodorant

Secret Solid^®—Powder Fresh Scent

Foods and Products Used Often

Bickford Laboratories, Inc. (flavorings)

Toll free 1-800-283-8322

www.bickfordflavors.com