Amoxicillinis a commonly prescribed antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.
The drug is also approved to treat gonorrhea in certain situations.
As such, consumers may be curious if leftover amoxicillin is still good down the road.
BSIP / Getty Images
Comparatively, amoxicillin liquid suspension is suitable for 14 days after your pharmacist prepares it.
Read on for a more in-depth analysis of amoxicillin and a discussion on handling potentially expired medications.
It is available only in generic form.
Sometimes, though, amoxicillin is still referred to by its former brand names, such as Amoxil.
It is also indicated for managing the sexually transmitted infection (STI)gonorrheain certain situations.
How It Works
Amoxicillin is a semisynthetic antibiotic derived frompenicillin.
Amoxicillin belongs to the drug category ofbeta-lactam antibiotics,which also includes other penicillin derivatives andcephalosporins, such ascephalexin.
H.pylorican infect the stomach lining and cause gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers.
Off-Label Uses
Amoxicillin is commonly prescribed for several off-label uses.
Off-label uses of amoxicillin include:
How Long Is Amoxicillin Good For?
It’s crucial to store amoxicillin properly to maintain its effectiveness.
However, know that storage requirements vary with the form youre taking.
Amoxicillin comes in oral forms, including a capsule, tablet, and chewable tablet.
Store these forms at room temperature (68-77 F).
Talk to a healthcare provider if you need more amoxicillin after it expires.
Storing Suspension-Based Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is also available as a suspension.
The suspension form comes as a powder in a bottle.
Once the drug is mixed (reconstituted), the amoxicillin suspension stays safe for up to 14 days.
After 14 days, dispose of any unused medication.
The FDA has approved amoxicillin to treat certain bacterial infections in adults and children of all ages.
Your healthcare provider and pharmacist will inform you of the correct dosage.
As with all antibiotics, amoxicillin is used to treat bacterial infections.
It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.
To eliminate the infection, it’s crucial to continue taking the medication for the prescribed length.
Further, incomplete antibiotic courses contribute to antibiotic resistance.
When bacteria are exposed to antibiotics but not eliminated, the surviving bacteria can develop resistance to the drug.
As a result, more difficult-to-treat infections can occur and even become life-threatening.
Can I Take Expired Drugs?
A medication’s expiration date is a way to notify consumers when the drug can become ineffective or unsafe.
It represents the manufacturer’s guarantee that the medication will maintain its potency and safety if stored correctly.
In some instances, the expiration date changes.
For example, mostinsulin vialshave a listed expiration date that is validbeforethe first use.
This date may differ from the expiration date provided by the manufacturer of the dispensed drug.
Generally, the FDA recommends strongly against using any medication past the expiration date.
However, some studies and assessments suggest certain medications pose a greater risk than others after expiration.
Some drugs are known to be unsafe or risky after expiration.
This is because certain medications begin to break down (decompose), resulting in incomplete and ineffective treatment.
As with all medications, EpiPens have an expiration date, after which they may be less effective.
What Should I Do With Expired Drugs?
Many pharmacies and medical facilities now have drop-off bins for patients todispose of expired or unwanted medications.
Amoxicillin capsules and tablets usually remain effective for up to a year from the pharmacy dispensing date.
The liquid suspension has a shorter shelf life of 14 days after preparation by the pharmacist.
Always check the medication label for expiration and consult a healthcare professional before using expired antibiotics or other medications.
The FDA website and your local pharmacy can offer guidance on disposing expired or unwanted medications.
All drugs have a shelf life based on research studies of the drugs chemical properties.
After the expiration date, the drug manufacturer can no longer guarantee the medication’s full effectiveness and safety.
Stability testing assesses how environmental factors affect a drug.
Solid forms of amoxicillin typically have a shelf life of one to two years.
The amoxicillin liquid suspension is 14 days after it’s prescribed.
Food and Drug Administration.Amoxicillin capsule label.
DailyMed.Label: Amoxil- amoxicillin powder, for suspension.
DailyMed.Label: amoxicillin- amoxicillin capsule.
Holten KB, Onusko EM.Appropriate prescribing of oral beta-lactam antibiotics.Am Fam Physician.
2000;62(3):611-620.
DailyMed.Label: cephalexin capsule.
Bush K, Bradford PA.-lactams and -lactamase inhibitors: an overview.Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med.
2016;6(8):a025247.
doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a025247
Goderska K, Agudo Pena S, Alarcon T.Helicobacterpyloritreatment: antibiotics or probiotics.Appl Microbiol Biotechnol.
2018;102(1):1-7. doi:10.1007/s00253-017-8535-7
National Cancer Institute.Helicobacterpylori(H.pylori) and cancer.
2023;13(6):1056. doi:10.3390/diagnostics13061056
Prescribers' Digital Reference.Amoxil.
Prestinaci F, Pezzotti P, Pantosti A.Antimicrobial resistance: a global multifaceted phenomenon.Pathog Glob Health.
2015;109(7):309-18. doi:10.1179/2047773215Y.0000000030
Food and Drug Administration.Expiration dates - questions and answers.
Food and Drug Administration.Dont be tempted to use expired medications.
