Here’s Why the Common Antibiotic Amoxicillin Is Hard to Find Right Now
Over the past few years, there have been a slew of shortages in products across a range of industries. Now, there’s one shortage that’s causing worry: the antibiotic amoxicillin.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned about the shortage on Friday, specifically calling out amoxicillin oral solution, which is typically used in kids. But the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), which fields reports of drug shortages from healthcare providers and pharmacists, listed many different forms of amoxicillin that are currently experiencing a shortage, including tablets and oral solutions.
For what it’s worth, the U.S. isn’t the only country experiencing an amoxicillin shortage: Canada, Ireland, and Australia have also reported shortages of the drug.
An antibiotic shortage is enough to make anybody pause, let alone one that’s used a lot in kids. But what’s behind the shortage and are there alternatives available? Here’s the deal.
Why is there an amoxicillin shortage?
There’s no clear answer. The ASHP lists out several pharmaceutical companies that have reported amoxicillin shortages and noted that they didn’t provide a reason for the lack of supply.
But amoxicillin has “become restricted in the supply chain due to increased use,” says Stephanie Field, M.B.A., director of pharmacy business services at Corewell Health West. Meaning, demand for the drug has ramped up as a slew of illnesses circulate.
It’s also possible that supply chain issues that have plagued nearly every industry since the pandemic began are at play here, too, says Crystal Tubbs, Pharm.D., associate director of pharmacy services at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “Shortages in general can be caused by supply/demand issues, shortages of raw materials or other ingredients needed to manufacture the drug, logistics interruptions and/or challenges with manufacturing facilities,” she explains.
What is amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that’s used to treat bacterial infections like pneumonia, bronchitis, and infections of the ears, nose, throat, urinary tract, and skin, according to Medline Plus. It’s also sometimes used to treat Lyme disease.
Amoxicillin is in a class of medication called penicillin-like antibiotics and works by stopping the growth of bacteria, Medline Plus says. You can take the drug in the form of a capsule, tablet, chewable tablet, or liquid.
Like all medications, amoxicillin can cause side effects, including:
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
changes in taste
headache
Are there amoxicillin alternatives?
There are, but the right swap “depends on what you are treating,” says Jamie Alan, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. “For pneumonia, you could potentially use azithromycin,” she says. “For ear infections, you can use a related medication like cefdinir or amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin).”
Ultimately, “it depends on what bacteria is causing the infection” and the patient’s individual needs, like allergies, Alan says.
What to do if you can’t find amoxicillin in your area
Again, there are amoxicillin alternatives. So, if you or your child is prescribed amoxicillin, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor to see if supply is available in your area. And, if amoxicillin is scarce around you, ask if there is an alternative that would be a good fit for the illness. “Have a conversation with your provider about the need for antibiotics and appropriate alternative therapies,” Tubbs says, before stressing that “medications like amoxicillin are not used to treat common illnesses like colds or the flu.”
Otherwise, you’ll need to keep in contact with your local pharmacist. “As a parent or caregiver, if you encounter issues with filling your prescriptions for amoxicillin or any medication, your community pharmacist is the best resource to navigate options and availability,” Field says.
While the idea of a shortage of a popular medication is freaky, Alan says you shouldn’t panic. “Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. There are other options,” she says.
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