Upon receiving a prescription for amoxicillin, some individuals prefer to take the drug in a liquid, rather than a tablet, form. The pros of taking liquid amoxicillin include its convenience, as some patients have difficulty swallowing pills or capsules. There are also cons of liquid amoxicillin, though, as it must be refrigerated and might not last as long as the capsule or tablet forms.
Liquid amoxicillin offers a solution to people who have trouble with pills and capsules. These individuals may not otherwise be able to take the medication. As amoxicillin is a common prescription for many types of bacterial infections, the liquid form makes it accessible to a wider group of people.
Amoxicillin is also available in chewable form, though some people prefer the taste of liquid amoxicillin to chewing tablets. The liquid form can also be mixed with other beverages, such as water, milk and juice. When a patient mixes amoxicillin with another form of liquid, it is important that the dose be taken right away to prevent it from spoiling.
Some people prefer to take amoxicillin tablets because they do not expire as quickly as the liquid form. When amoxicillin is taken in liquid form, any unused medication should be thrown away after 14 days. Amoxicillin pills might last slightly longer, but still lose their potency over time. When doctors prescribe amoxicillin, it is important to take the full dosage in order to prevent infections from returning. Ending the prescription early can cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotic treatments and it might return as an even stronger strain.
Liquid amoxicillin should be kept refrigerated at all times. Some individuals are unable to take liquid amoxicillin for this reason. If the dosage requires that the medication be taken multiple times per day, access to the refrigerator might not always be possible. Individual doses of amoxicillin should not be taken out of the refrigerator and carried throughout the day. Liquid amoxicillin left at room temperature can promote the growth of bacterial resistance.
Amoxicillin can be taken with or without food, though some people find that taking it with a meal can prevent stomach upset. Patients should consult a doctor to determine whether amoxicillin is incompatible with other medications they may be taking. Some side effects of amoxicillin include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Some patients experience yeast infections while taking amoxicillin, while others develop allergic reactions including a rash, hives or difficulty breathing.
