When taking your medicines, do you know the difference between teaspoons (tsp) and tablespoons (tbsp)?
According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, many parents don’t know that one letter makes a world of difference. In fact, a tablespoon is almost 3 times larger than a teaspoon: one teaspoon is 4.9 mL, while one tablespoon is 14.8 mL! The study found that more than 10,000 calls to the poison center and 70,000 ER visits each year are due to medication dosage errors. For a drug like acetaminophen, for example, an overdose can result in liver damage and death.
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Forty percent of parents in the study incorrectly measured the dose their doctor prescribed.
Parents who used the teaspoon and tablespoon dosage were much more likely to use kitchen spoons to measure their child’s medication as well (a few of us adults are guilty of that too!) Unfortunately, kitchen spoons are not a standard method of measurement and “aren’t safe to use,” according to pediatrician Jennifer Shu. So, the next time you’re about to pour some cough medicine for yourself or your child, make sure to use the measuring devices that come with the bottle and not a spoon from your pantry–your body will thank you for it!
If you suspect you or your child has taken an overdose: the Poison Control Center hotline is 1-800-222-1222.
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