Hi... can someone clarify how long it takes for medications to really expire? I know that there are expiration dates on them... but are they really expired?
2006-08-25 05:26:24 · 10 answers · asked by concerned 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
After the expiration date it's still OK to use--however in time they will lose their potency and will not work as well--I hope this helps you out
2006-08-25 05:28:53 · answer #1 · answered by Penguin Gal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is an expiration date on a medication bottle that doesn't actually mean the medicine is bad and you cannot take it. Now usually there is only expiration dates on a liquid form of medicine like take for example Penicillin, it is a liquid lets say the expiration date just came up and it is past it. The medicine might not take full effect but it won't hurt you.
2006-08-25 05:31:32 · answer #2 · answered by HARRISON 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is best not to use them past that date. Medications are given expiration dates for the earliest ingredient that expires first. If you took an expired medication, and the primary active ingredient had expired, but the others hadn't, you could have some interesting and potentially harmful results.
2006-08-25 05:31:56 · answer #3 · answered by curiositycat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as expiration dates go, you can eat or drink a pill or liquid that is only about 2 days expired. Make sure to allow you full use of your medication that you refrigerate when needed.
2006-08-25 05:43:54 · answer #4 · answered by birdluver_93 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask a Pharmacist, or several. I have a couple of Pharmacists whom I use for quick answers to troubling questions that I can't seem to find specific answers to. As far as I know, medicines kept cool and dry can be used safely long after their expiration dates, but best to ask a Pharmacist for details.
2006-08-25 05:34:29 · answer #5 · answered by correrafan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only medicine which should be thrown away after expiry date are antibiotics. The other medicines never expire. Actually even antibiotics can be used 6 months after expiry date as they retain 80% potency.
Topical creams etc should be thrown away if they loose color, consistency or the smell changes.
2006-08-25 05:33:20 · answer #6 · answered by Rajnikant K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i may chance using something a couple of days old but not much more because most drugs just lose their effectiveness after the date they expire but some can actually make you worse.
2006-08-25 05:29:33 · answer #7 · answered by ana g 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most are fine to use after their expiration dates, altho some may lose some effectiveness. There are some, however, that will deteriorate and become dangerous to use. Be careful.
2006-08-25 05:32:05 · answer #8 · answered by jurydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most drugs after the expiration date they basically loose most of their effectivness, though some will actally make you sick which my boyfriend found out the hard way. I wouldn't chance things.
2006-08-25 05:32:53 · answer #9 · answered by macleod709 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was told my by ex-sister-in-law (who's a RN) that they never expire. It's just a ploy to get u to spend more money.
2006-08-25 05:30:49 · answer #10 · answered by geminiblue26 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋