Drug Shortage

Shortage of amoxicillin 875 mg tablets

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists reports a shortage of amoxicillin 875 mg tablets. One manufacturer has discontinued the product, another has been banned from importing it into the US due to quality problems, one reports unspecified manufacturing delays, one cannot provide a reason for the shortage, and the remaining manufacturer is overwhelmed by demand.

Empirical use of amoxicillin is very common, but hopefully your doctor will never prescribe this high a dose without having determined that you are indeed infected with a bacteria sensitive to the antibiotic. Frequently, amoxicillin is prescribed at a lower dose when a bacterial infection is suspected or obvious. Use of the drug based on observation and experience should be followed up with a lab test to determine which antibiotic might be best used.