When it comes to medicine, it is very important to take the right amount. But this can be tricky when it comes to liquid medicine. More than 80% of medication errors in the home involve liquid medicine given to children.1 And since liquid medicine is the form that many kids take, it puts them at risk of dosing errors. Learning about common dosing errors and how to prevent them will help keep children and others who take liquid medicine safe.
Common Dosing Errors
One of the most common liquid medicine dosing errors is using the wrong measuring tool. People sometimes use kitchen spoons to dose medicine, not knowing this can lead to giving either too much or not enough. A teaspoon is considered to be equal to 5 milliliters (mL), but kitchen spoons have been found to range between 1.5 mL and 9 mL.2 Even teaspoons and tablespoons used for baking can vary in the amount they will hold.
Another common mistake is misreading or misunderstanding the dose recommended for liquid medicine. Whether you are using over-the-counter or prescription medicine, pay close attention to where the period or decimal is in the dose number. For example, 5mL is 10 times more medicine than 0.5mL.
How to Prevent Dosing Errors
To avoid giving or taking the wrong amount of liquid medicine, always use the dosing tool that comes with it. Usually this is a medicine syringe, dropper, or cup. If there is none included, ask your doctor or pharmacist for one. It is best to measure liquid medicine using milliliters not teaspoons.
Even if you are using a special dosing device, there can still be errors in measuring and understanding the directions. Always read the recommended dose on the label and follow the directions carefully. If using a dosing cup, place it on a level surface and look at dose markings at eye level to get the exact amount. After many uses, the lines on dosing devices can fade and become hard to read. Replace the tool when this happens to avoid mistakes. Store medicine along with the dosing tool up and away from children.
Ask for Help
Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or call poison control if you have questions about how much liquid medicine to take or to give a child. If you make a medicine dosing mistake, call poison control right away. Pharmacists and nurses will help you free of charge right over the phone. Don’t waste time searching the internet for answers. It’s confidential, quick, and easy to call the Poison Help line and it’s available anytime 24/7 by calling 1-800-222-1222.
References
- Yin HS et al. Preventing Home Medication Administration Errors. Pediatrics. 2021 Dec 1;148(6):e2021054666. doi: 10.1542/peds.2021-054666. PMID: 34851406.
- Sobhani P, Christopherson J, Ambrose PJ, Corelli RL. Accuracy of oral liquid measuring devices: comparison of dosing cup and oral dosing syringe. Ann Pharmacother. 2008 Jan;42(1):46-52. doi: 10.1345/aph.1K420. Epub 2007 Dec 4. PMID: 18056832.