Giving medicine to a child: what should I check on the label?
Read the label every time you give a dose, not just the first time, and use the measuring tool that came with that medicine. That's the FDA's advice to parents giving children over-the-counter medicine. While you read, make sure the directions and warnings make sense. If a line doesn't add up, ask a pharmacist before you give the dose.
What to check each time
The FDA's advice for giving children nonprescription medicine includes:
- Follow the label directions every time, with special attention to the directions and warnings.
- Know how much to give and when. Read and follow the label.
- Use the dosing tool made for that medicine. If the label's units don't match the tool you have, don't guess. Get the right tool, and don't use a kitchen spoon or a tool from another medicine.
- Check the active ingredients on the Drug Facts label, and talk to a doctor or pharmacist before giving two medicines at the same time, to avoid a possible overdose.
Why reading every time matters
Our view: parents often give the same medicine again and again, familiar text is easy to skim, and a quick reread each time is how you'd notice a label that changed, or one that never made sense. Labels can contain wrong words. We publish real ones on the case index.
If something doesn't make sense
Don't guess what the label meant. Call a pharmacist or the doctor, and if someone may have taken too much, contact Poison Control at poison.org or call 1-800-222-1222. If you've found a label error, here's what to do and how to report it.
Sources
- FDA: Got a Sick Kid? Don’t Guess. Read the Label. Make sure you’re giving your children the right medicine and the right amount
- FDA: Should You Give Kids Medicine for Coughs and Colds?
- Poison Control
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
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FAQ
How often should I read a medicine label when giving doses?
Every time. The FDA advises parents to read and follow the label directions every time they give a child medicine.
Can I use a kitchen spoon to measure liquid medicine?
No. The FDA says to use the dosing tool that comes with that medicine, not a kitchen spoon or a tool from another product.
What if a line on the label doesn't make sense?
Don't guess. Ask a pharmacist or doctor before giving the dose, and contact Poison Control if someone may have taken too much.