Tag: Mg vs ml

Medication errors due to confusion between weight and volume units are a significant patient safety concern, with some studies showing high rates of dosage errors. The question, 'Is 5mg and 5ml the same?', highlights a fundamental misunderstanding that can lead to dangerous over- or under-dosing. The simple answer is no; milligrams (mg) measure mass, while milliliters (ml) measure volume, and they are not interchangeable.

According to research from the National Institutes of Health, the tolerable upper intake level for elemental zinc is 40 milligrams per day for adults, making a dose of 50 mg concerning. Confusion often arises, however, because supplement labels may list zinc in milligrams (mg), while liquid products may use milliliters (ml), leading many to question, 'Is 50 ml of zinc too much?'