Measurement of Polyethylene Glycol 3350 With Standard Household Measuring Devices

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Clinical Pharmacy
• Drug Dosing Accuracy

Background:

• Household measuring devices like teaspoons and tablespoons are frequently used in clinical settings for pediatric dosing of polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG-3350).
• There is a lack of published literature evaluating the accuracy of these common household tools for PEG-3350 measurement.
• Standard adult dosing is 17 grams, equivalent to one manufacturer-provided capful.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the actual weight of polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG-3350) when measured using standard household teaspoons and tablespoons.
• To assess the variability in PEG-3350 measurements obtained with different household utensils and techniques.

Main Methods:

• Measurements of PEG-3350 were conducted using five distinct household measuring spoons (teaspoons and tablespoons) and the manufacturer's cap from three different PEG-3350 brands.
• An electronic balance was utilized by three investigators to record five measurements for each device and technique, including leveled, unleveled, and "heaping" spoonfuls, as well as half and full capfuls.

Main Results:

• A leveled teaspoon of PEG-3350 weighed approximately 3.3 grams, while an unleveled teaspoon weighed around 3.7 grams.
• Leveled, unleveled, and heaping tablespoon measurements yielded approximately 10, 11, and 15 grams of PEG-3350, respectively.
• The highest variability in PEG-3350 measurements was observed with heaping tablespoons, half-capfuls, and full capfuls.

Conclusions:

• While a kitchen scale offers the most precise PEG-3350 measurement, its availability is not universal.
• Standard household measuring spoons (teaspoons and tablespoons) can be practically employed for PEG-3350 dosing.
• Utilizing a single, dedicated measuring device and ensuring doses are leveled can enhance measurement consistency, which is crucial for patients sensitive to dose variations.