Patient instructions

Compounded Oral Liquid Patient Instructions

These instructions are for medications the pharmacy prepares as a liquid suspension — usually because a child, an adult with swallowing difficulty, or someone with a feeding tube needs a medication that is usually manufactured as a tablet or capsule. Available by prescription only.

Shake every time

Suspensions separate as they sit. A good shake before each dose keeps every mL the same strength.

Millilitres, not teaspoons

Your dose is measured in mL with the oral syringe provided. Household spoons vary too much — do not use them.

The concentration matters

Compounded liquids are made at a specific strength (mg per mL) that may differ from any commercial version. If you refill elsewhere or visit a hospital, bring the bottle so the concentration is known.

Why a Liquid May Be Compounded

A child needs a medication that is usually manufactured as a tablet or capsule.
The dose is too small, too specific, or changing too often for a commercial product.
A patient cannot swallow tablets or capsules safely.
A feeding tube, swallowing difficulty, or care-home routine requires a measured liquid.
The commercial liquid is unavailable, backordered, or not available in the needed strength.

Pediatric suspensions

Examples include antibiotic, seizure, blood-pressure, sleep, behavioural-health, and gastrointestinal medications when a prescriber writes for a child-specific liquid strength.

Medication-specific stability

Each liquid has its own recipe, storage condition, flavouring options, and beyond-use date. A refill may not have the same dating as a different medication.

Clinic and hospital handoffs

Bring the bottle or a clear photo of the label to appointments so the concentration, dose volume, and beyond-use date are visible.

How to Give a Dose

1Shake the bottle well before every dose — the medication settles between uses, and an unshaken dose can be too weak or too strong.
2Draw up the dose with the oral syringe we dispense with every suspension. Measure in millilitres (mL) exactly as the label says.
3Give the dose slowly into the side of the mouth (for children, aim toward the cheek, not the throat).
4If the label allows mixing with food or drink, use only a spoonful — never a full cup or bottle, in case it is not finished.
5Rinse the syringe with warm water and let it air dry for the next dose.

If You Miss a Dose

Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
If it is close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and continue the regular schedule. Do not double up.
If you are unsure — especially with heart, seizure, or blood-pressure medications — call the pharmacy before giving anything.

Storage

Storage depends on the medication: many compounded suspensions are kept in the refrigerator, while others must stay at room temperature. Follow the storage line on your pharmacy label, keep the bottle tightly closed, and keep it out of reach of children — flavoured liquids are appealing to kids.

When to Call the Pharmacy

Your child spits out or vomits a dose and you are not sure whether to repeat it.
The taste is a battle — many suspensions can be flavoured, or the flavour changed, at refill.
The liquid changes colour, smells different, or separates and will not remix with shaking.
You are running low — compounded liquids are prepared to order, so plan refills a few days ahead of the beyond-use date.

Refill Planning

Compounded oral liquids are usually made fresh and may have short dating. Refill timing matters more than it does for many tablets or capsules.

Check the beyond-use date before the bottle is half finished.
Call a few days ahead when possible. Some liquids need ingredients ordered, a fresh calculation, or pharmacist review before compounding.
Tell us if the prescriber changed the dose, the child gained weight, the flavour was not tolerated, or the storage routine was difficult.
Do not keep using an expired compounded liquid while waiting for a new bottle unless the prescriber or pharmacist specifically tells you to.