From the FDA Drug Label
After reconstitution, the required amount of suspension should be placed directly on the child’s tongue for swallowing Alternate means of administration are to add the required amount of suspension to formula, milk, fruit juice, water, gingerale, or cold drinks. These preparations should then be taken immediately. NOTE:SHAKE ORAL SUSPENSION WELL BEFORE USING. Keep bottle tightly closed. Any unused portion of the reconstituted suspension must be discarded after 14 days. Refrigeration is preferable, but not required
The shelf life of reconstituted oral antibiotics (abx) is 14 days. Any unused portion of the reconstituted suspension must be discarded after this period 1.
From the Research
The shelf life of reconstituted oral antibiotics varies by medication but generally ranges from 7 to 14 days when refrigerated. The most recent and highest quality study on this topic is not directly provided in the given evidence, but based on the available information, it is essential to consider the stability of each antibiotic suspension.
- Amoxicillin suspensions typically last 14 days when refrigerated (2-8°C) and 7 days at room temperature.
- Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) should be refrigerated and used within 10 days.
- Azithromycin suspension remains stable for 10 days at room temperature.
- Cephalexin suspension lasts 14 days when refrigerated.
- Clarithromycin suspension is stable for 14 days when refrigerated.
- Penicillin V potassium suspension should be refrigerated and used within 14 days, as shown in a study from 2. These timeframes are important because the active ingredients in liquid antibiotics begin to degrade after reconstitution, gradually reducing effectiveness. Always check the specific instructions on the medication label or package insert, as manufacturers may provide different recommendations based on their stability testing, such as those discussed in 3 and 4. Proper storage (usually refrigeration) is essential to maintain potency, and patients should discard any unused medication after the specified expiration period, even if symptoms have resolved, to avoid using potentially ineffective or contaminated medication. It's also worth noting that while studies like 5 and 6 discuss the efficacy of various antibiotics, they do not directly address the shelf life of reconstituted oral antibiotics.