What does "meq" stand for in pharmacological measurements?

The abbreviation "meq" stands for milliequivalent. This unit of measurement is commonly used in pharmacology to express the amount of a substance in terms of its chemical activity rather than just its weight. A milliequivalent refers to one-thousandth of an equivalent, which is particularly important for electrolytes and other substances where the chemical activity or effect is more crucial than just the mass.

This is especially relevant in medicine because it assists healthcare providers in determining dosages that can affect the body's chemical balance, particularly for ions like sodium, potassium, and calcium. In this context, measuring in milliequivalents helps ensure that patients receive the correct amount of medication to achieve the desired physiological effect.