Commercially available oral liquid medications with concentrations, storage, and compounding/extemporaneous notes — useful for pediatric patients, tube-feeding, and swallowing difficulties
| Drug (Generic) | Brand | Concentration | Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amoxicillin | Amoxil | 125mg/5mL, 200mg/5mL, 250mg/5mL, 400mg/5mL | Refrigerate reconstituted; discard after 14 days | Fruit-flavored suspension; widely available generic |
| Amoxicillin-Clavulanate | Augmentin ES-600 | 200mg/5mL, 400mg/5mL, 600mg/5mL (ES) | Refrigerate reconstituted; discard after 10 days | ES-600 = 600mg amox/5mL with 42.9mg clav; higher concentration for resistant organisms |
| Azithromycin | Zithromax | 100mg/5mL, 200mg/5mL | Do NOT refrigerate; room temp; discard after 10 days | Z-pack dosing: 10mg/kg on day 1, 5mg/kg days 2–5 |
| Cephalexin | Keflex | 125mg/5mL, 250mg/5mL | Refrigerate reconstituted; discard after 14 days | 1st gen cephalosporin; widely available |
| Cefdinir | Omnicef | 125mg/5mL, 250mg/5mL | Room temperature after reconstitution; discard after 10 days | May turn red/orange in stool — reassure patients |
| Cefprozil | Cefzil | 125mg/5mL, 250mg/5mL | Refrigerate; discard after 14 days | 2nd gen cephalosporin |
| Cefuroxime axetil | Ceftin | 125mg/5mL, 250mg/5mL | Refrigerate; discard after 10 days | Bitter taste — not well-tolerated by children; may mix with juice |
| Clindamycin | Cleocin Pediatric | 75mg/5mL | Room temperature; discard after 2 weeks | Contains cherry flavor; may cause C. diff |
| Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole | Bactrim, Septra | 40/200mg per 5mL | Room temperature | Watch for sulfa allergy; check glucose-6-PD in at-risk populations |
| Metronidazole | Flagyl | 250mg/5mL | Room temperature | Avoid alcohol during and 48h after therapy; bitter taste |
| Ciprofloxacin | Cipro | 250mg/5mL, 500mg/5mL | Room temperature; discard after 14 days | Shake well; avoid dairy/antacids; limit in pediatrics due to tendon/cartilage concerns |
| Fluconazole | Diflucan | 10mg/mL, 40mg/mL | Room temperature; discard after 14 days | Antifungal; many drug interactions (CYP2C9/3A4 inhibitor) |
| Oseltamivir | Tamiflu | 6mg/mL | Refrigerate; discard after 17 days; room temp 10 days | Treatment: 5 days; prophylaxis: 10 days; adjust for renal impairment |
| Cardiovascular | ||||
| Lisinopril | (Various generic) | 1mg/mL | Refrigerate; discard after 30 days | Compounded or commercially available; ACE inhibitor |
| Enalapril | Epaned | 1mg/mL | Refrigerate; discard after 60 days | FDA-approved oral solution; ACE inhibitor for heart failure/HTN |
| Captopril | Capoten (discontinued; compounded) | Compounded: typically 1mg/mL | Refrigerate; discard per BUD | Extemporaneous preparation; commonly used in neonates/infants; short beyond-use date |
| Propranolol | Hemangeol | 4.28mg/mL | Room temperature; discard after 2 months of opening | FDA-approved for infantile hemangioma; beta-blocker |
| Spironolactone | (Various generic) | 25mg/5mL | Refrigerate; discard after 30 days | Potassium-sparing diuretic; shake well |
| Furosemide | Lasix | 10mg/mL, 40mg/5mL | Room temperature; protect from light | Loop diuretic; monitor electrolytes |
| Digoxin | Lanoxin | 0.05mg/mL (50mcg/mL) | Room temperature; protect from light | Narrow therapeutic index; careful dosing; monitor levels |
| Neurologic / Psychiatric | ||||
| Levetiracetam | Keppra | 100mg/mL | Room temperature | Antiepileptic; behavioral side effects common |
| Oxcarbazepine | Trileptal | 60mg/mL | Room temperature; discard after 7 weeks | Antiepileptic; monitor sodium levels |
| Topiramate | Qudexy XR (sprinkle); compounded liq. | Compounded: various | Per BUD (compounded) | Not commercially available as liquid; compounding required; use sprinkle capsules when possible |
| Clonazepam | Klonopin (C-IV) | 0.1mg/mL | Room temperature | Controlled substance; benzodiazepine |
| Lorazepam | Ativan (C-IV) | 2mg/mL concentrate | Refrigerate; protect from light | Controlled substance; sublingual use also possible |
| Risperidone | Risperdal | 1mg/mL | Room temperature; discard after 30 days | Incompatible with cola or tea; mix with water, juice, coffee, or low-fat milk |
| Haloperidol | Haldol | 2mg/mL | Room temperature; protect from light | Typical antipsychotic; oral concentrate |
| GI / Acid Suppression | ||||
| Omeprazole | Prilosec (compounded) | Compounded: 2mg/mL | Refrigerate; discard after 30 days | Sodium bicarbonate-based vehicle; stable 30 days refrigerated |
| Lansoprazole | Prevacid (compounded) | Compounded: 3mg/mL | Refrigerate; discard after 14 days | Extemporaneous; sodium bicarbonate vehicle |
| Ranitidine | Zantac (withdrawn) | 15mg/mL (historical) | — | Withdrawn from market — NDMA contamination |
| Metoclopramide | Reglan | 5mg/5mL, 10mg/5mL | Room temperature; protect from light | Antiemetic/prokinetic; avoid >12 weeks (tardive dyskinesia) |
| Endocrine / Other | ||||
| Hydrocortisone | (Compounded) | Compounded: 1–2.5mg/mL | Refrigerate; per BUD | For pediatric adrenal insufficiency; no commercial oral solution available |
| Prednisolone | Orapred, Millipred | 15mg/5mL, 25mg/5mL | Refrigerate; discard after 90 days | Preferred oral corticosteroid liquid in pediatrics |
| Dexamethasone | Decadron | 0.5mg/5mL, 1mg/mL | Room temperature; protect from light | Various concentrations; carefully check dose/concentration |
| Levothyroxine | Tirosint-SOL | 13mcg/mL | Refrigerate; unit-dose ampules; discard opened ampule | Liquid formulation for pediatric hypothyroidism and tube-feeding; gluten/dye free |
| Potassium chloride | K-Lor, Kay Ciel | 20mEq/15mL, 40mEq/15mL | Room temperature | Dilute with at least 4 oz water; GI irritant; available OTC as electrolyte solutions |
| Ferrous sulfate | FeSol, Fer-In-Sol | 75mg/0.6mL drops; 220mg/5mL | Room temperature; protect from light | Stain teeth — use dropper; rinse mouth; may take with juice |