Jessica Lise, PharmD, BCPPS
Pediatric Clinical Specialist, Department of Pharmacy,
Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Jennifer Sternbach, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP
Assistant Vice President of Clinical Pharmacy Services,
RWJBH Pharmacy
Amoxicillin oral suspension is currently unavailable in all strengths/formulations.
Due to the shortage of amoxicillin suspensions, alternative approaches must be considered.
The following recommendations are offered by the RWJBH Pediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee to aid clinicians in selecting alternatives to amoxicillin oral suspension.
- Amoxicillin capsules may be used an alternative for doses that can be rounded to increments of 250 mg
- Capsules may be swallowed whole
- If the child is unable to swallow, the capsule can be opened and contents can be mixed with juice, milk, apple sauce, or pudding and given immediately
- For administration via enteral feeding tube, open capsule and mix with 15-30mL of water and administer immediately via tube; follow with 10 mL flush of water
- If capsules are not an option, please consider the following alternative therapies:
The ASP, representing pediatric providers, including pediatric infectious disease specialists and pharmacists, exchange ideas, discuss case management strategies and develop and implement guidelines to be shared system wide, as well as serve as a resource for community physicians.
For more educational information, research and best practices from the Children’s Health Network at RWJBarnabas Health, visit rwjbh.org/childrenshealthresearch.