Aging Well: News & Insights for Seniors and Caregivers
- Although the FDA reports choking on syringe caps, oral syringes are accurate and easy; remove caps and keep them away from children.
- Always check that the dosing device units (mL, teaspoon, tablespoon, cc) match the prescribed dose to prevent errors.
- If medicine tastes unpleasant, ask the pharmacist about safe flavoring and confirm correct measurements and conversions.
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If the medicine comes in suspension form, shake well before using.
Do not use flatware spoons used for eating for giving medicine. They are not all the same size. For example, a flatware teaspoon could be as small as one half teaspoon (2.5 milliliters [mL]) or as large as 2 teaspoons (10 mL).
Measuring spoons used for cooking are accurate, but they spill easily.
Oral syringes have some advantages for giving liquid medicines.
- They are accurate.
- They are easy to use.
- You can take a capped syringe containing a dose of medicine to your child’s daycare or school.
There can be problems with oral syringes, however. The FDA has had reports of young children choking on syringe caps. To be safe, remove the cap before you use an oral syringe. Throw it away if you do not need it for future use. If you need it, keep it out of reach of infants and small children.
Dosing cups are also a handy way to give liquid medicines. However, dosing errors have occurred with them. Always check to make sure the units such as teaspoon, tablespoon, mL, or cubic centimeters (cc) on the cup or syringe match the units of the dose you want to give.
Liquid medicines often do not taste good, but many flavors are now available and can be added to any liquid medicine. Ask your pharmacist.
Unit conversions
- 1 mL = 1 cc
- 2.5 mL = 1/2 teaspoon
- 5 mL = 1 teaspoon
- 15 mL = 1 tablespoon
- 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
Updated by: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Regional Medical Director of Penn Medicine Primary and Specialty Care, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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