NORTH LOGAN, Utah — The liquid amoxicillin shortage continues across the nation, and it is putting a lot of families in tough positions.

The liquid form of the antibiotic is commonly prescribed to children to fight bacterial infections such as pneumonia, respiratory infections and strep throat. 

Pharmacist Phillip Cowley with Cache Valley Pharmacy has seen the toll this shortage, which was caused by an early viral season and high demand, is taking on the community. In some cases, he has needed to send desperate parents to bigger chain store pharmacies to fill their prescriptions.

“In the beginning of the shortage, amoxicillin liquid completely disappeared, where you couldn’t buy it from any place at all,” Cowley said. “It has been crazy bad for the last couple of weeks.”

He has taken to his social media accounts to educate followers on how you can convert amoxicillin capsules into a liquid form for your children using their prescribed dosage.

“When it comes to capsules, the amoxicillin capsules can be opened,” he said.

“When it comes to capsules, the amoxicillin capsules can be opened.”

At 10:00, a Utah pharmacist offers parents a workaround if they can’t get their child’s liquid amoxicillin prescription filled because of the nationwide shortage. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/uTghiDJehE

— Ashley Moser (@AshleyMoser) December 13, 2022

Cowley said parents should ask their doctor to write prescriptions in milligram form instead of liquid form.

“That allows your pharmacist to have some latitude to help you, where as if it says just liquid form, they don’t have that latitude,” he said.

He hopes the shortage will end soon, but until then, he said this is a safe work around everyone should talk with their doctor and pharmacist about.

“We will find a way to help you if you talk to us, every time,” Cowley said.

The capsules are available in 250 milligrams and 500 milligrams. Cowley reminds parents that you will give your child the same does as prescribed by their doctor and said your local pharmacist will be able to answer any questions.