How to give medicines: liquid medicine using an oral syringe from a bottle without a bung

• This page explains how to give liquid medicine using an oral syringe from a bottle without 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 without 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 (instructions at the end). 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 (without a bung)

• Shake the bottle well, making sure the cap is firmly on the bottle.
• Remove the cap.
• Place the bottle on a flat surface.
• Put the syringe into the opening of the bottle and make sure the tip is in the liquid.
• Pull the plunger back until you have drawn the right amount of liquid into the syringe.
• You may need to tilt the bottle so the tip of the syringe stays in the liquid and you do not draw air up into the syringe. Sometimes it is easier to get the syringe into the liquid if you pour a small amount of the liquid into a clean pot before taking it up into the syringe. Be careful not to spill the medicine.

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.

Giving liquid medicine using a measuring spoon

• Another common way of giving liquid medicines is to use a measuring spoon. These are usually used to measure 5ml amounts.
• Measuring spoons should only be used to measure 5 ml, and not for other amounts.
• Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.
• You can get a measuring spoon from your pharmacist.
• An oral syringe gives more accurate measurements to help make sure you give the right amount of medicine to your child.
• The medicine can be poured into the spoon straight from the bottle and can then be given to your child.

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.