Do Not Use Kitchen Spoons to Measure Medicine
When you need to dose a teaspoon of medicine, it is tempting to reach for the teaspoon. Makes sense, right? But kitchen spoons come in a variety of sizes, and using silverware to measure medicine means you’re giving the wrong dose.
A unit called a teaspoon is equal to 5 milliliters. A tablespoon is three times larger: 15 milliliters. If you have a set of labeled measuring spoons, they will give you the right amount. But the spoons you use for the cereal and soup can be any size; a teaspoon does not necessarily hold a teaspoon.
In a study published in Pediatrics , parents were asked to demonstrate how they measure liquid medications from their child’s recent prescription. Even though it seems like a simple task, almost 40% made some mistake that caused them to give the wrong dose. Offenders include choosing a kitchen spoon instead of a measuring instrument.
Another common problem was the confusion between a teaspoon and a tablespoon, resulting in three times the dose or less. The researchers recommended that measurements be given in the metric system instead. Parents who have thought about the drug in milliliters are more likely to choose a real measuring instrument and more likely to choose the correct dose.
At most pharmacies, you can ask for a free dosing cup, syringe, or measuring spoon when you buy liquid medicine. Some over-the-counter medicines are sold separately. If you are in trouble, use the same measuring spoons you keep measuring, say, baking powder (you are using for this purpose suitable measuring spoons, right?) And leave teaspoons to stir the tea.
Unit of Measure Used and Dosing Errors of Parent Drugs | Pediatrics
Photo by Liz West .