Measuring Liquid Medicine

If a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, what helps when we need to measure a teaspoon of medicine? Or a milliliter, or an ounce?

Getting the amount just right for any liquid medication you take is important. And while the instructions tell you how much to take and how often, they usually don’t tell you how to measure an accurate dose – especially with low vision. We’ve got some tips to help you measure liquid medications correctly – and make sure you’re getting just the right amount every time.

One quick note before we begin – you might want to find out whether the medication you’re taking is available in a capsule or pill – which makes it easier to get the right dose. If that’s a good option for you, check with your pharmacist or doctor.

But sometimes liquid medication is the only choice – or the best choice for you. So let’s look at a few handy methods for measuring.

The first step is to make sure you know the right dose. To keep that information right where you need it, label the bottle with a large print or audio label – or a label you can feel. Check out the workshop on labeling medications for some great ideas.

Include the medication name on your label as well as the correct amount. And watch carefully for decimal points within the measurement. For example, your dosage might be five milliliters, or point five milliliters. Writing zero-point-five can help make the decimal point more obvious.

And using a magnifier can help with accuracy, too. Check out the workshop series on magnifiers to learn more.

Be sure you’re matching the unit of measure in the instructions with the unit of measure on your dosing device – whether it’s milliliters, ounces, or something else. You can even ask the pharmacist for a device that has only the correct set of measurements, to help avoid mistakes.

Some medications come with a dosing cup, and some with an oral syringe. Be sure to use the right one for your medication. Household spoons don’t work for this task. The teaspoon you use to set your table is likely to be larger or smaller than an actual teaspoon. And there’s no way to measure a dose if you drink directly from the bottle.

If your medication doesn’t come with a measuring device, ask the pharmacist to recommend one. And keep it stored with the medicine, so you’ll always have it when you need it. A measuring cup usually fits over the cap of the bottle, and a syringe can be attached to the bottle with a rubber band.

When it’s time to measure, make sure your lighting is bright enough for the task. If you need more light, a portable lamp with an adjustable arm is handy for getting it right where you need it. Check out Hadley’s workshop on lighting for more tips.

Working over a tray or a baking sheet helps you keep things organized. For example, when you open the bottle, you can set the cap on the tray to keep it from getting lost or knocked on the floor. Using a tray makes it easier to clean up any spills, too.

And marking your cup or syringe ahead of time makes it easier to get the right amount. A friend or family member – or your pharmacist – can help.

You can mark the outside of a clear medicine cup using a marker or a piece of tape that contrasts against the color of your medication. To keep it accurate, line up the correct measurement with either the top or the bottom edge of the marker line or tape.

Some dosing cups have markings on the inside that you can feel. Use your finger to feel when the liquid is at the same level as the marking.

To check the level of the liquid, keep the cup on a flat surface – like the countertop, or a shelf at eye level – as you lean in to see it up close. If you hold it up with your hands to look at it, it may not be quite level – and you won’t be sure your measurement is right.

If you’re using a syringe, here’s a handy way to mark this device ahead of time. First, mark the correct dose on the outer part of the syringe with a dark marker or piece of tape. For example, if your dose is 3 milliliters, put the edge of your mark or tape directly around the 3-milliliter line.

Then pull the inner plunger back until the stopper is at the right measurement inside the tube. You don’t need any liquid – just make sure the plunger is pulled back to exactly the measurement you need.

Next, take a small file or knife, and run it around the plunger– right at the top of the medicine tube – to make a scratch in the plastic.

Or, you can wrap the plunger tightly with a thin piece of contrasting tape. Make sure the tape is thin enough so the plunger can still move freely into the tube. And make sure the bottom edge lines up with the top of the medicine tube.

When it’s time to fill the syringe, push the plunger all the way down the tube, then insert the tip into the medicine, and pull back the plunger.

As you fill the syringe, run your fingernail against the side of the plunger, and when you feel the groove or the bottom edge of the tape, stop pulling back. Sometimes it’s easier to pull the plunger back a little farther, then push it forward gently – until you feel the groove, or the tape, line up with the tube.

Some bottles have a special stopper that lets you insert the syringe and turn the bottle upside down, then pull back the plunger to draw in the medicine.

If your bottle doesn’t have a stopper, you can pour some of the medicine into a small container with a wide opening, then insert the tip of the syringe and pull back the plunger to the right spot.

You can tell when you’re getting liquid – and not air – by how easily the plunger pulls back.

After your device is marked with the right dose, practice using it with juice or another liquid you can see, so you can get comfortable with the task. A friend or family member can help you double-check the amount.

As always, if you need more information or you've got your own tips to share, contact a Hadley learning expert. Of course, as with anything new, give yourself time, patience, and practice, and you'll get there.