Finding Your Child’s Medicine During the Shortage
I know a lot of you have been struggling to find medicine for your kids - whether it’s antibiotics, Children’s Tylenol or Motrin, or other things. And I know this is so frustrating as a parent (and for your doctors, too, I promise!) — you already have a sick child at home and then have to search for the things they need. I wanted to go through some tips to help if you’re in it.
Quick Tip
Here’s one simple thing that you can do when you’re at your care team’s office to save a ton of hassle. If they send a prescription electronically, ask for a copy paper prescription as well. This way, if you go to a pharmacy and they don’t have it available, you don’t have to wait for people to call around or get it sent somewhere else. You can just take your paper prescription with you to another pharmacy yourself - it’s a nice backup to have.
Antibiotics
In areas of the US and other countries, there is a shortage of liquid amoxicillin (and some other antibiotics as well). For any one, you can work with your care team and ask about:
different concentrations of the liquid
chewable tablets
capsules (to open and sprinkle contents into foods, liquids, etc.)
alternate options for antibiotics
Children’s Tylenol or Motrin
Children’s Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Children’s Motrin (ibuprofen) have been in short supply over the last few months in many areas. Talk with your pediatrician about if and when you need these medications for your child - medicine for fevers and teething, for example, is just one tool in the toolbox (there are other ways to comfort during those times as an additional way to help your child). You can also try:
seeing if there are different concentrations available (i.e. infant vs. children’s motrin)
chewables (if your child is old enough + the dose makes sense)
cutting adult tablets to a proper dose for your child + crushing into a powder — ONLY do this in conjunction with your care team, as it is a last option, but should be done carefully and with supervision of your medical team.
look for generic versions (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) or alternate brands (genexa, etc.)
Where to Find Them
Here is a list from the community! Thank you so much for so many amazing suggestions!! You all are incredible - always willing to help other parents, with such generosity of time and spirit.
If you go to a chain pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, Costco, etc.), see if they can call other locations in their chain for stock (to do a pharmacy to pharmacy transfer of your prescription).
Compounding pharmacies (or smaller, local pharmacies) can often provide them for you.
Ask your pediatrician if they have samples.
Grocery stores (Jewel, Marianos, Wegmans, Sprouts, etc.)
Gas stations often keep them on stock, as do 7-11s, Wawas, and similar places.
Check Target.com overnight for new stock (some at 3 AM EST).
Genexa - has quick shipping and is in stock.
Ask grandparents (if they live in areas with other older people, often pharmacies there are stocked) or family in other towns to check.
Call your neighbors - parents want to help parents.
Set up alerts on Amazon for tylenol/motrin to be notified when they are back in stock.
Ask your neighborhood FB mom/parents group.
Ask your pharmacist when their new deliveries arrive and check on those days.
Check pharmacy apps overnight or early in the morning - that’s when they usually restock and you can reserve what you need.
If admitted to hospital, you can ask for the next few doses of medication (like antibiotics) to tide you over until you get it at a pharmacy.
Try FSA store or HSA stores.
I know it might not feel like it, but you’re doing so great. This has been a long season. We’re all in it with you.
