In home use of OTC medications, which device should be used to measure the dose?

• A. The measuring device that comes with the drug
• B. A kitchen teaspoon
• C. A device from another medication
• D. A measuring cup

Answer: (A)

Using the dosing device that comes with the OTC medication is best because it’s specifically calibrated for that product’s strength and bottle size, ensuring you measure the exact amount recommended on the label. Other devices aren’t reliable: a kitchen teaspoon varies in size and can lead to inconsistent, incorrect doses; a device from another medication may be calibrated for a different concentration and could cause under- or overdosing; a measuring cup is usually designed for larger volumes and isn’t precise for small, exact doses. If the original dosing device is lost, consult a pharmacist or the manufacturer for a replacement to keep dosing accurate.