Does Amoxicillin liquid expire?

Does Amoxicillin liquid expire?

Yes, Amoxicillin Liquid does expire. It is available in powder form as the liquid suspension is not that stable during the shelf-life. As long as it remains in its powder form, it can stay good for up to a year. 

However, you need to add water to it to make a suspension before you consume it and once you do that, do not use that suspension for more than 14 days (1)

Any leftover liquid after 14 days should be discarded and should not be used. This is because liquid suspensions are not as stable as solid dosage forms. No matter how well you store it or keep it in a refrigerator, it will inevitably expire after 14 days. 

Now, there are a number of things that could go wrong with an expired liquid Amoxicillin. 

  • First, it would definitely lose its potency as the drug present in it will start to degrade once the expiration process begins. 
  • Another possibility is bacterial contamination. This is because liquid suspensions don’t have stable forms of preservatives and they can keep the formulation good for up to 14 days. 

Liquid preparations are more susceptible to bacterial growth as high moisture content creates a very hospitable environment for bacteria. This is why it’s best to discard the Amoxicillin Liquid preparation after 14 days of opening it. 

The use of expired Amoxicillin or any other medication is generally not recommended, be it a liquid preparation or a solid one. Expired meds have no guarantee regarding their safety and efficacy and they should be avoided generally. 

What to do if you have taken expired Amoxicillin Liquid? 

If you have accidentally taken a dose or two of expired Amoxicillin Liquid, don’t worry. It won’t necessarily harm you physically. However, it will not benefit you either and continuous use could be dangerous. 

This is why it’s best to discard the expired preparation. Since it is a prescription medication, I recommend talking to your healthcare provider. 

Just because Amoxicillin Liquid was prescribed earlier, it doesn’t mean it is the right choice of antibiotic again. This is why it’s best to get properly diagnosed. A new prescription is what you need. 

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References

1.-

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2009). Highlights of prescribing information: AUGMENTIN (amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium) Tablets, Powder for Oral Suspension, and Chewable Tablets. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2013/