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Reporting a Medication Error

Using a Household Spoon to Give Liquid Medicine Is Inaccurate

Republished June 26, 2024

It has been almost 50 years (1978) since the American Academy of Pediatrics pointed out that using a household spoon to give liquid medicine is inaccurate. Studies indicate, however, that 3 out of 4 Americans still rely on teaspoons in their kitchen drawers to measure medicine doses.

Depending on their size, typical household teaspoons can hold between 3 and 7 mL. An accurate teaspoon should hold 5 mL. When you take or give liquid medicines, use only the cup or measuring device that comes with the medicine. If you get a liquid medicine and it doesn't come with a measuring device, ask your pharmacist to suggest what type of measuring device you should use.

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