Spoons are more commonly used to administer medicine to children
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Parents should avoid using household spoons to give children medicine as varied sizes can mean under and overdoses
A study by US and Greek researchers looked at teaspoon sizes in 25 household and found that the largest was three times the size of the smallest.
They also found that when asked to use 5ml medicine spoons, people poured in varying amounts. Only one in five people poured the correct dose.
To avoid dosage differences, the team have urged parents to use syringes over teaspoons.
The risks of harm occurring as a result of parents giving too much of these medicines in a single dose is thought to be very small.
A spokesman for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain said, ‘In the UK medicines for children are sold with a spoon, or sometimes a syringe that allows parents and carers to measure and accurate dose.
“People collecting NHS prescription medicines for children will be supplied with either a spoon or syringe to allow an accurate dose to be given.
“Pharmacists would always recommend that parents and carers only use spoons or syringes which are designed for the administration of medicines if they are giving liquid medicines to children.’
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