If you are told to take milliliters (mL), teaspoons (tsp), or tablespoons (Tbsp), always make sure you use a measuring device that is marked clearly with your dose.

Some oral measuring devices come with a combination of milliliters (mL), teaspoons (tsp), or tablespoons (Tbsp) markings. Make sure you ask your doctor or pharmacist which marking you should to use to measure your dose. You may find it easier to ask them for a device that only includes the marking you need.

Medicine Cups

Be sure to use the cup that comes with the medicine. These often come over the lids of liquid cold and flu medicines. Don’t mix and match cups to different products. You might end up giving the wrong amount.

Don’t just fill it up. Look carefully at the lines and letters on the cup. Use the numbers to fill the cup to the right line. Ask your pharmacist to mark the right line for your child if you are not sure. Be sure the cup is level. You can check by putting it on a flat surface.

Dosing Spoons

• Best for children who can drink from a cup, but often spill some liquid. This measuring device may be good for children who use sippy cups to drink liquid.
• Check for markings on the spoon that match the amount you need for your dose.

Droppers or Syringes

• • Best for very young children who cannot drink from a cup
  • Check for markings on the dropper or oral syringe that match the amount you need for your dose.

• NEVER use hypodermic syringes that are intended to give shots. Only use syringes made especially for oral use.
• Don’t put the medicine in the back of the throat. This could choke your child. Instead, squirt it gently between your child’s tongue and the side of the mouth. This makes it easier to swallow.

Tips

• 1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 milliliters (mL)
• 3 teaspoons (tsp) = 1 tablespoon (tbsp)
• 1 tablespoon (Tbsp) = 15 milliliters (mL)

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The Internet is an immeasurable store of information connecting networks of computers worldwide. The information found on the Internet is unregulated and is not always from reliable sources. Websites can contain large amounts of information, which is sometimes accurate but in some cases may be inaccurate or misleading.. The fact that information is published on the Internet does not make it true.

Health Information on the Internet

The Internet is a valuable resource for health information when used correctly. Online information can help you understand your illness better and enable you to work with your doctor to get the best medical care.

Make sure the website is reliable, credible and trustworthy when searching for health information.

Evaluating the Information

It is important to evaluate the information you have found during a search on the Internet to ensure it is accurate and comes from a reliable source. When evaluating, think critically and don’t accept any information at face value.
Ask yourself Who is responsible for the website? Is the information accurate? Is the information objective? Is the information up-to-date? Who is the site aimed at? If the information is aimed at health care providers it may assume knowledge of medicine that you do not have.

Remember

• Anyone can publish information on the Internet – it doesn’t make it true!
• Be wary of incorrect information and false claims.
• Health information gained through the Internet is not a substitute for professional independent medical advice.

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