How Long is Amoxicillin Good for in the Fridge

How long is Amoxicillin good for in the fridge? This is a question that you are probably asking yourself. The following article will discuss the shelf life of Amoxicillin and other essential details.

Amoxicillin is a very prevalent antibiotic often prescribed for many bacterial infections. It is paramount to note that all antibiotics have a shelf life, and this drug is not exceptional.

A drug shelf life is defined as the period it retains its potency. It starts on the day the drug is manufactured.

How Long Is Amoxicillin Good for In The Fridge?

It is imperative to note that amoxicillin liquids or suspensions can be stored in your refrigerator or even at room temperature. Refrigeration is most recommended as it increases the potency of the drug. Also, it is believed that it increases tolerability, which means the drug will taste better after refrigeration.

Even though you store your drugs on your fridge, all suspensions will expire after a period of 14 days. It is important to note that you should ensure that the bottle is tightly closed when you are storing Amoxicillin in your fridge. Additionally, ensure that you discard the remaining suspension after 14 days.

Why Should You Store Amoxicillin in the fridge?

It is recommended that you store your liquid Amoxicillin in the fridge as the drug contains augmentin. The augmentin compound is very unstable when subjected to heat. When stored under high temperatures, the medicine will deteriorate quickly and lose its potency.

You can efficiently store liquid Amoxicillin in the fridge but ensure that you don't place the drug in a frozen state.

For the amoxicillin capsules or tablets, you can store them at room temperature without interfering with their potency. Also, the amoxicillin pills may have an unpleasant smell which can be minimized by keeping them in the fridge.

Tablets and Capsules

The tablets or capsules have a longer shelf life than the amoxicillin suspensions. Ideally, these drugs have an expiry date of two or three years. Most pharmacists, however, state the expiration date as one year.

When storing the amoxicillin tablets and capsules, you don't have to keep them in the fridge but store them at room temperature. You should also ensure you store the tablets or capsules away from direct light or moisture.

Suspension or Liquid Form

If your doctor prescribes you the liquid form of Amoxicillin, it is imperative to be cautious in the storage process. You can either store it at room temperature or in the fridge, as discussed above. However, despite the storage method ensure that you discard the medicine after 14 days.

In most instances, the pharmacist mixes the powder form of the drug with clean or distilled water. The powder form of the medicine lasts for two or three years. But when mixed with water, its shelf life reduces.

What Does Drug Expiration Mean?

Drug expiration means the last day the manufacturer guarantees the safety and potency of the drug. The law requires that each drug have an expiry date.

All drug manufacturers conduct various research on their products to determine the stability of the drug.

Can you Take Amoxicillin After the Expiry Date?

It is not recommended to take any drug after the stipulated expiry date. Some of the primary reasons why you should not take the medication after expiry are:

·The drug is a molecular element and will degrade after a time

·The potency of the drug after the expiry date is unknown

·After the expiry date, the drug will not provide the required therapeutic benefit

Should you Store All Antibiotics in the fridge?

Most antibiotics need to be refrigerated to maintain their potency and taste. However, it is imperative to note that not all require refrigeration, and you can store them at room temperature. You can check the requirement of the drug to see if the antibiotics need to be kept in the fridge.

Conclusion

The article above comprehensively discusses ''how long is amoxicillin good for in the fridge''. In a nutshell, you can store the liquid form of Amoxicillin in the fridge to increase its effectiveness and taste. For the tablets and capsules, you can keep them at room temperature.

It is important to note that you can only store liquid Amoxicillin in the fridge for 14 days. Their potency can go even for two years for the tablets and capsules.