Measuring Liquid Medications
Liquid medications are available as prescriptions and over-the-counter (OTC). Liquid medications can be referred to by many different terms such as solution, suspension, tincture, elixir, or syrup. They are commonly used in children or in people that have difficulty swallowing. Many cough and cold products are available as liquids.
A common error that occurs with liquid medications is getting the correct dose. Sometimes this can occur due to a confusion among measurements. Some product labels have directions written as milliliters (mL) while others write the directions in terms of teaspoons or tablespoons.
Do not use household items to measure your medications. You should use an oral syringe, medicine cup, or dosing spoon to measure your dose. If your liquid medication is a suspension, make sure to shake the bottle well prior to dosing.
What are the common doses and conversions?
Many directions are written as milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cc). One milliliter is equal to 1 cubic centimeter. 1 mL = 1 cc.
Other frequently used doses and their conversions are:
2.5 milliliter (mL) | ½ teaspoon |
5 milliliter (mL) | 1 teaspoon |
15 milliliter (mL) | 3 teaspoons 1 tablespoon |
How do I use an oral syringe?
Oral syringes are generally provided with prescription medications for children.
• Fill the syringe with the prescribed dosage of medicine. Remember to
measure the dose by lining up the top of the black line of the plunger with the desired dose or number on the syringe. (Your nurse/pharmacist may mark the syringe for the correct dose.)
• Hold the syringe upright and gently tap the air bubbles toward the end.
• Push the plunger gently to force the air out of the end.
• Check that you have the correct amount of medication left in the syringe.
Add more medication if needed. Squirt any extra medication back into the bottle if you have too much.
How do I use a medicine cup?
• In order to accurately measure a dose of liquid medication, place the
cup on a flat surface and keep your eye level with the cup.
• Pour slowly to the desired dose.
• The liquid may look slightly curved. Make sure that the bottom of the curve (the meniscus) is on the desired dose marking.
How do I use a dosing spoon?
Dosing spoons work well for children who can “drink” from the spoon. Use
only the spoon that comes with the medicine. Be sure to use the lines
and numbers to get the right amount for your child. Ask your pharmacist or doctor to mark the right line if you are not sure how much to give.
What are some other approaches to give my child medication?
• For infants less than 4 months of age: Using an oral (needleless) syringe, squirt the medication slowly into the side or the back of the mouth. Have a pacifier or bottle of formula to use between and after medications.
• For infants 4 to 12 months of age: Above method or try a half ounce of diluted fruit juice or teaspoons of baby food given between or after medications.
• For children 12 months to 3 years:
• Fruit juice or cold milk between and after doses
• Popsicles
• Yogurt
• Chocolate pudding
• For children 3 years and older:
• Any of the above options
• Peanut butter – use only in children 4 years and older and use care to avoid choking
• Jelly
• Honey (never give honey to a child less than 1 year of age)
• Ice cream
• Ice chips – use only in children 6 years and older
Sources:
https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/l/liquid-admin
https://consumermedsafety.org/tools-and-resources/medication-safety-tools-and-resources/taking-your-medicine-safely/measure-liquid-medications https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/Pages/Using-Liquid-Medicines.aspx