Implication of dispensing cups in dosing errors and pediatric poisonings: a report from the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize reports to poison centers involving liquid medication errors associated with the use of dispensing cups.


METHODS
Case series reported by 16 US poison centers over an eight-day period.


METHODS
Calls to poison control centers, predominantly but not exclusively from homes.


METHODS
Children and adults.


RESULTS
Of 34 reported cases, most (79 percent) involved a two- to threefold dosing error, and most (94 percent) involved an error in a single dose of medication. Cough and cold preparations were implicated in 65 percent; acetaminophen elixirs in 18 percent. Three major causes of dosing errors were identified, including teaspoon/tablespoon confusion, assumption that the dispensing cup was the unit of measure, and assumption that the full dispensing cup was the actual dose.


CONCLUSIONS
Dispensing cup markings should use a single unit of measure, and a uniform labeling system should be implemented. Teaspoon/tablespoon abbreviations should be avoided, and dispensing cup lettering should be more legible. Consumer education is essential to correct the misimpression that the full cup is always the recommended dose.
Litovitz
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National Capital Poison Center, Washington, DC.
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004304:Dosage Forms; D004349:Drug Packaging / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008508:Medication Errors; D011039:Poison Control Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D014481:United States
D004304:Dosage Forms