Help! I just woke up with my 4 month old and was in the kitchen and realized my husband left our sons amoxicillin out on he counter since 730 last night! He is due to take it again at 730 am and was wondering if I should still use it. It says keep refrigerated. So I'm leery to use now. Gonna make a call to the pharmacy in a few but figured I'd check here first.
I know it's late, but just in case anyone else asks - I've called the pharmacy before for the same thing - guess why you're supposed to refridgerate liquid amoxicillian? Because IT TASTES BETTER COLD. That's all. So the medicine is okay, it just won't taste as good. Not that it tasted good to start with...
I am sure it is totally fine, since it has only been less than 12 hours now. They say to refrigerate because it's the suspension liquid and needs to be mixed together properly, and it's pretty thick. I am sure it's fine! Call the pharmacy to be totally certain, though. Those husbands need constant monitoring, it seems!!! Good luck.
Some antibiotics HAVE to be refrigerated. Some do not.
AUGMENTIN HAS TO BE REFIGERATED... and many amoxicillin suspensions have augmentin in it. There are a few other amoxi + ______ combos that HAVE to be refrigerated.
Pure amoxi doesn't, but I have no idea what's in your suspension.
Call your pharmacy, and they'll be able to tell you whether to dump it or use it.
Same token... double check the calcium. Some antibiotics bind to calcium (rendering them useless), so you don't want to have ANYTHING with calcium in it (milk, cheese, vitamins, etc.) at least an hour before or after taking it.
My guess is that it is probably alright...it isn't that hot there in the kitchen...being Ma. and the middle of the winter!!! If it has started to changed colors, then I would be concerned but I really think it is probably alright. I work in a pharmacy as a clerk, and I have had people call in and ask about this...I have normally heard the pharmacist tell them that it is alright...as long as it hasn't been left in a hot car for an extended period of time...or somewhere else where it would get exceptionally hot.
Call your pharmacist after they open to be sure...you can delay the morning dose until then.
that happened to us. i called my american mom who is a nurse and she said a few hrs out of fridge is ok but not longer. she said you can tell by it changing color. and it had. it looked dirty white. i called pharmacy and they said the same thing. i shelled out 70 bucks for a new antibiotic because the insurance wouldn't pay for a new one 48 hrs after getting the first. both parties told me the antibiotic looses its strength if left out of fridge.
For those few hours, no big deal. If you look up Amoxicillin liquid, it says the drops and suspension tastes better if refrigerated. Probably was not refrigerated at the pharmacy. Often it is just recommended after it is opened.
My pharmacist said it is better to refrigerate but not a big deal if you can't or don't. I have accidentally left the same medication out overnight or part of a day and had no problems. I figure it is an antibiotic so no bacteria are likely to survive.
We left our son's amoxicillin out on the counter overnight last week, and it was fine. We just shook it really well, a lot more than normal before giving it to him.
