How to give medicines: liquid medicine using an oral syringe from a bottle with a bung

• This page explains how to give liquid medicine using an oral syringe from a bottle with a bung. Read the information or watch the video all the way to the end before doing this for the first time.
• Some liquid medicines should be taken with food or milk. Other liquid medicines work best on an empty stomach. There are a few liquid medicines that should not be taken with certain foods, juices or milk. This should be shown on the medicine label.
• Specific information on individual medicines is available on the Medicines Information pages.
• You can download the information sheet on ‘How to give medicines: liquid medicine using an oral syringe from a bottle with a bung’ below, or the full information is also available to read on this page.

We have produced a step by step video to help with the administration of liquid medicine.

Liquid medicine

• Wash your hands with soap and water before giving liquid medicine.
• Shake the bottle well.
• Measure out the right amount using an oral syringe (see instructions below) or medicine spoon. You can get these from your pharmacist.
• Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.
• Make sure your child takes it all straight away.
• To hide the taste of liquid medicine, you can give the child a drink of milk or fruit juice straight after giving the medicine.

If your child will not or cannot take the medicine on its own, even with a drink straight afterwards, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. They may advise that to hide the taste of the liquid medicine by mixing it with milk or fruit juice; but always check as this process is not suitable for all medicines.

• Add the dose of liquid medicine to a glass of milk or fruit juice (preferably at room temperature).
• Make sure your child drinks all the mixture straight away.
• Then add some more juice or milk to the glass, swirl it round and ask your child to drink the liquid. This makes sure they get all the medicine.

Check the leaflet for the medicine you are giving, or speak with your doctor or pharmacist before mixing the medicine into a drink to give it.

Other important information

When you get a new prescription of liquid medicine, check what strength medicine you have and how much to give your child, as it may be different from the previous batch.

• Some liquid medicines must be kept in the fridge. Make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle. If you are unsure, speak with your pharmacist.
• Some liquid medicines do not keep for long once they have been opened. Write the date that you start it on the bottle and make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle.

Using an oral syringe

Your pharmacist may give you an oral syringe to measure and give liquid medicine to your child. This will help make sure that your child gets the right amount.

Some bottles of medicine have a rubber bung, which is pushed into the neck of the bottle. You can purchase bungs from some pharmacists.

Preparing the syringe (with a bung)

• Shake the bottle well, making sure the cap is
• firmly on the bottle.
• Remove the cap and if the rubber bung has not already been inserted, push it fully into the neck of the bottle.
• Take the syringe and pull the plunger back so that the top of the black ring is on the volume for the dose you need to give.

• Push the tip of the syringe into the hole in the middle of the rubber bung.
• Turn the whole bottle with the syringe upside down.
• Slowly push the plunger into the syringe. This will push air into the bottle.
• Then pull the plunger slowly back to the volume you need for your child’s dose.
• Turn the whole bottle with the syringe the right way up and take the syringe out of the bottle.

Giving the medicine

• Make sure that your child is sitting up or standing.
• Put the syringe into your child’s mouth, with the tip near the inside of their cheek.

• Push the plunger in slowly, giving your child time to swallow the medicine as it squirts out. Do not push the plunger too quickly as the medicine may come out too quickly and your child may choke.

After giving the medicine

• Wash the syringe straight away using fresh, soapy water. Draw the plunger in and out in the soapy water several times. Then rinse the syringe in clean water in the same way.
• If the medicine bottle has a rubber bung you can usually keep it in the bottle all the time. Wipe the top of the bung with a damp paper towel after each dose and put the cap over it between doses. Some bungs need to be removed from the bottle, and washed before and after each use. Your pharmacist will advise you about this.

Who to contact for more information

Your child’s doctor, pharmacist or nurse will be able to give you more information about your child’s medicine.

You can read further information about individual medicines by searching (A-Z) on the Medicines Information pages on this website.