Drugmakers report amoxicillin shortages

At least three manufacturers of amoxicillin are experiencing supply shortages, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists .

The shortages primarily affect the availability of amoxicillin oral suspension products used in pediatric patients.

As of Nov. 18, the shortages included 11 oral amoxicillin products from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, 14 from Hikma Pharmaceuticals and 18 from Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis. The three drugmakers did not provide reasons for their shortages.

Teva has some oral powders, capsules and tablets available, and its products on back order have estimated release dates of early December through late February. The company is releasing supplies as they become available.

All of Hikma's amoxicillin products are on allocation, meaning the company is limiting new orders until its shortages are resolved.

Sandoz has some products available in limited supply and others on back order. For the items on back order, the drugmaker could not estimate a release date.

Another amoxicillin manufacturer, Aurobindo Pharma, did not provide availability information to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, while drugmaker Rising Pharmaceuticals has capsules and tablets available.