Thanks to widely circulating respiratory illnesses, packed doctor’s offices and school closures, families are already having a tough fall and winter. Now, there’s a new problem on the horizon causing stress for moms, dads and caregivers. The commonly prescribed antibiotic amoxicillin is in short supply, and experts says the shortage may continue for months.
Why is there an amoxicillin shortage?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added amoxicillin to its list of drug shortages in October. Since then, the supply chain has continued to be hit hard. Tonja Winekauf, a registered nurse practitioner with MercyOne Family Medicine in Sioux City, Iowa, says the shortage is likely related to surging numbers of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Influenza cases across the country.
“Although these illnesses aren’t treated with amoxicillin, they’re leading to increased infections, which leads to an increase in the prescribing of antibiotics,” she explains. “Specifically, the FDA is reporting a shortage of the liquid version of the drug due to increased demand, so the shortage is primarily affecting pediatric patients.”
Other important drugs for combatting respiratory infections are also in short supply, including some antivirals and albuterol, which is used in inhalers. According to a report by Vox, surging infections aren’t the only cause of the problem. A recent report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine finds that “the number of ongoing drug shortages has been increasing and lasting longer.” One of the main causes of supply issues, Vox reports, is production and costs within the pharmaceutical industry itself.
What is amoxicillin used for?
“Amoxicillin is one of, if not the most commonly prescribed antibiotic in pediatrics,” says Dr. Ali Alhassani, a pediatrician and the Head of Clinical at Summer Health. “The most common way amoxicillin is given to kids is via an oral suspension or liquid.”
This liquid, which you might remember as being pink and tasting like bubblegum during your own childhood, is primarily used to treat bacterial infections, like strep throat or certain types of pneumonia.
Because its use is so common, shortages of amoxicillin can have a major impact on families, Winekauf adds. “There have been increased wait times and drive times due to locating a pharmacy that has the amoxicillin or waiting for a shipment to arrive at the pharmacy,” she says.
What if my child is prescribed amoxicillin and I can’t get it?
One of the most distressing things for parents and caregivers is having a sick child and not being able to get the medicine they need. On social media, several people have shared their firsthand experiences with being unable to locate amoxicillin in their area.
“A quick moment of mom-terror today,” writer Jessica Scott-Reid shares on Twitter. “My kid has an infection. I handed the pharmacist a prescription for amoxicillin. She casually handed it right back to me. She says ‘We don’t have any. That’s it. We blink at each other for a second. I think I might have gasped a tiny bit.”
Antibiotics aren’t needed to treat most respiratory infections, the experts say, but if your child does require the use of amoxicillin, there are a few things you can do:
- Call the pharmacy before filling prescriptions to ensure they have it.
- Check with multiple pharmacies in your area.
- Tell your child’s pediatrician immediately if you can’t find the antibiotic.
In some cases, doctors may be able to prescribe alternatives to amoxicillin, says Dr. Kari Simonsen, Senior Vice President, Pediatrician-in-Chief and Chair of Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released guidance for physicians and pharmacists on alternative treatments and medications to use.
“Your pediatrician might recommend an alternative to liquid amoxicillin, such as chewable formulations or pills,” Simonsen says. “A different antibiotic might also be prescribed to ensure that supply is available. There are antibiotics that work similarly to amoxicillin but might be more broad-spectrum and cover additional types of bacteria.”
