How is amoxicillin oral suspension supplied?

How Amoxicillin Oral Suspension Is Supplied

Amoxicillin oral suspension is supplied as a powder for reconstitution in bottles of 80 mL, 100 mL, and 150 mL, available in two concentrations: 125 mg/5 mL and 250 mg/5 mL. 1

Available Formulations and Packaging

• 125 mg/5 mL concentration is supplied in bottles of 80 mL, 100 mL, and 150 mL 1
• 250 mg/5 mL concentration is supplied in bottles of 80 mL, 100 mL, and 150 mL 1
• Both concentrations reconstitute to a pink suspension with cream flavor 1

Storage and Handling Requirements

• Unreconstituted powder should be stored at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) in controlled room temperature 1
• After reconstitution, refrigeration is preferable but not required 1
• The suspension must be discarded after 14 days following reconstitution 1
• Bottles should be kept tightly closed and shaken well before each use 1

Reconstitution and Dispensing

• The powder is reconstituted with water according to manufacturer directions to achieve the final concentration 1
• Bottles may contain more liquid than required for the prescribed course 1
• A calibrated oral syringe should be used for dosing children, and the syringe should be rinsed after each use 1

Extended Stability Data (Research Evidence)

• When stored at -20°C (frozen), reconstituted amoxicillin suspension retains at least 90% of its original activity for at least 60 days 2
• At -10°C, amoxicillin concentration decreases to 88% of initial concentration after 60 days 2
• At room temperature (25°C), reconstituted suspension retains at least 90% activity for 30 days when stored in amber plastic oral syringes 3
• At refrigerated temperature (4°C), the suspension retains at least 90% activity for 47 days 3

Common Pitfalls in Dispensing and Use

• Community pharmacists report that over 90% of amoxicillin suspension doses result in extra medication being dispensed due to package/bottle sizing constraints 4
• Computerized prescribing algorithms often create odd dosing amounts that do not align with available bottle sizes 4
• Caregivers frequently perform reconstitution incorrectly: only 56% demonstrate good overall technique, with poorest performance in shaking the bottle to loosen powder (53.7% correct), topping up to the marked line (58% correct), and filling water below the marked line (59% correct) 5
• Families should be instructed to dispose of unused medication in the trash (75% of pharmacists report this instruction), though 16.2% incorrectly instruct pouring in the sink 4