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Most medications are completely fine if taken past the expiration date. The FDA wants drug companies to include a date that they will know for sure that it is still 100% viable. But most companies do not test their products past 2-3 years, so that is what they put down as their expiration date. But many drugs have been tested independently 5-6 years down the road and have been found to still be completely good. Aspirin especially has a great shelf life. The pharmaceutical companies like to include the dates on their products so that people will throw out the "old" stuff and then buy more. Some exceptions include more "exotic" drugs; the more complex the drug, the more likely it will break down. Though, this still takes a generous amount of time, and that it is still 90+% effective usually. Liquid medications also lose some of the effectiveness faster than anything in a solid form. A good rule of thumb in any case is that if your life depends on the drug, and it is expired, then you probably should not rely on it. Your life is not worth the savings from not getting a new Rx. And as always, feel free to consult your doctor if you have any questions.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoSince an FDA regulation in 1979, drug makers have been required to guarantee their products' potency to a certain point in the future. In other words, the "expiration date" tells you that the drug will be 100% effective-as-new until that day. After that, the medication may still "work" for all intents and purposes, but it is no longer guaranteed to do so.
Drug companies do not give a "half life" or any other information on how long it takes for any medication to truly "go bad." Indeed, some studies have found medications to be good-as-new as long as 15 years past the expiration date!
Of course, different medications will last longer than others, and storage environment as well as whether the packaging has been opened will effect this lifespan, as well. It's best to ask a doctor about specific medications, and, of course, "when in doubt... throw it out!"
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoYou can but you shouldn't.
Unlike the expiration date on food which is usually a "sell by or pull" date for the store to tell them when to get it off the shelf and the food is still usually perfectly good to eat for at least a couple weeks (if not longer); the expiration date on medications indicates the active ingredient will probably degrade and no longer be dependable and may even have become harmful after that date.
Using expired medication may cause inadequate treatment of the condition it was prescribed for or in some cases poisoning! Get rid of the medication as soon as possible after it expires.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoI have a box of Contac Flu And Cold medicine and it expired 4/2009 it is now 5/2009 it is safe to still take just for 1 day till i get more
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoYou cannot take medication that is a few days past the expiration date because after the expiration date, they lose potency and may be unsafe.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoYou should not take over the counter medication that is just a few days past the expiration date because the medicine might be unsafe.
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Will metronidazole that is expired hurt you or will it work?
It is not recommended to take any medication past the expiration date that is printed on it. The Metronidazole will have a date on it. After that date, it could be dangerous to take the medication and it probably won't work to help the person at all.
How do you you know when medication has expired?
it says the expiration date
Can you take naproxen expired?
As with anything, be it drugs, food or drink, you should not take them if they are out of date. The date is on the packet for your safety, and you could suffer adverse effects from taking out of date medication.
What can happen if you take expired prednisolone?
It is never a good idea to take expired medication.
Is it safe to take expired furosemide?
You are most likely not going to get sick from taking expired medication ... BUT ... you are not getting the full intended dose of the medication if the date has expired. Medications lose their potency over time and therefore lose their effectiveness in curing the ailment.
Is it safe to take the Nioxin intensive therapy recharging complex pills if they expired 06 2008?
No It is never safe to take medication that has gone past its expiry date
How long does ciprofloxacin last after expiration?
You should not take cefuroxime axetil after the expiration date. Taking it when it has expired could be dangerous. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.
Can you take expired diarrhea medicine?
It is best not to take expired medication. The medication does expire and will not work properly if taken after the date of expiration. ( If it works at all. ) Your best bet is to go to a local drug sore and get you a new package that satisfies you and be sure to check the expiration date. Hope this helped. (: Medication must be at least 90% effective at its expiration date and cannot degrade forming any harmful compounds. Also many meds are stable beyond the standard 2 year exp. date, its just not worth the expense for a company to continue testing it. So generally an expired med should not hurt you, it just may not work.
Is it bad to take Rapid Slim SX that expired 8 months ago?
Expired medication can be ineffective and dangerous.
Do hydrcodone get old?
It is possible for medication such as hydrocodone to go bad. The medication will have an expiration date posted on the outside of the bottle. A person should dispose of the medication once it has expired.
Can you take theraflu after the expiration date?
It is not wise to take any medications after the expiration date. The chemical composition of the medication begins to break down and will alter the effect of the medication.
Can you use ofloxacin ophthalmic eye drops if its 2 years past the expiration date?
A person should avoid using expired medication such as ofloxacin ophthalmic eye drops, especially 2 years past the expiration date. Expired medication can harm the body and are less likely to have increased potency.
