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Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust UCL Institute of Child Health
 

Children and families

Giving your child medicines: how to give your child liquid medicines using an oral syringe

This information sheets explains how to give your child liquid medicines using an oral syringe.

Contents

Instructions

  1. Wash your hands
  2. Shake the medicine bottle before opening
  3. Insert the bottle adapter into the open bottle if necessary
  4. Draw up the required dose of medicine using an oral syringe as instructed
  5. Put the tip of the oral syringe inside your child’s mouth
  6. Gently push the plunger to squirt small amounts of medicine into the side of your child’s mouth
  7. Allow your child to swallow before continuing to push the plunger
  8. Give your child a drink to wash down the medicine
  9. When you have given the whole dose, wash the syringe in warm, soapy water or throw away in your household rubbish

Important

  • Do not squirt all of the medicine into your child’s mouth in one go – he or she may choke
  • Do not aim the syringe at the centre of your child’s mouth – aim at the area between the gums and the inside of his or her cheek

Looking after the liquid medicine

  • Ask your pharmacist about storing the medicine. Some needs to be kept in the fridge but others only need to be kept out of direct sunlight
  • Read the instructions and only use the liquid medicine as instructed.
  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children
  • Check the expiry date on the medicine before giving it to your child. If it passes its expiry date or your child stops using it, please return it to your pharmacist. Do not flush it down the toilet or throw it away

If you have any questions about your child’s liquid medicine, please ask your family doctor (GP) or local community pharmacist.

Ref: F060438 © GOSH Trust September 2006
Compiled by the Pharmacy department in collaboration with the Child and Family Information Group
This information does not constitute health or medical advice and will not necessarily reflect treatment at other hospitals. If you have any questions, please ask your doctor. No liability can be taken as a result of using this information.

This page was last updated on 25 September, 2008