Anyone know if it is dangerous to take expired meds, lets just say a four year old Oxycontin? Or are they not as effective?
2006-09-13 15:18:52 · 18 answers · asked by Sarabeth 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
When medicines, or anything with a chemical base, get old, the chemical properties start to break down and change. They may not do what they were originally intended to do.
Not too long ago there was a news story about some CVS chains selling expired meds. There was a couple with a baby that became very ill (don't remember if she died,) because
CVS sold them some expired formula.
Please don't take any chances with 4 year old medicine. Your life is worth much more than that.
2006-09-13 15:33:40 · answer #1 · answered by zphtar 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Generally, expiration dates have been set by pharmaceutical companies,
based on their internal tests of the longest period of time that a
medication is known to be effective. Based on other studies,
medications probably continue to be effective at least one to two
years after the expiration date, and maybe as long as 10 to 15 years
later. Medications do retain their effectiveness longer if they are
kept unopened or unexposed to humid air.
The only report of harm coming from the ingestion of an expired
medication was with tetracycline many years ago. So, it's probably
safe to take an expired medication, but not if it's a prescription
medication that has expired.
2006-09-13 15:27:30 · answer #2 · answered by 99CLOUD99 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Expired meds can be dangerous, but for the most part, they lose their effectiveness. Tonight I threw out some "Soma" from 2004...
2006-09-13 15:24:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are not as effective and as a result are dangerous because it will be like you didn't take the medicine at all.
Depending on the reason for taking the medicine, that could be minor or it could be tragic.
2006-09-13 15:29:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
one year is the absolute max they can be used and that is you have them in a cool dark place. 4 years is to long not effective or at worst dangerous
2006-09-13 15:21:24 · answer #5 · answered by gsschulte 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
do no longer flush them - I continuously theory that's what you have been meant to do (so animals/young infants could no longer get them) yet i replaced into advised by way of many sources that this is terrible for the water equipment. I asked a pair pharmacies when I had some previous drugs to do away with - they mentioned they positioned them in a sealed bag in kitty clutter and throw them out with the trash. i assume the kitty clutter is to take in them if the pills/caplets smash aside, and to make it so animals & pets do no longer eat them?
2016-12-15 07:45:15 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-04-28 15:55:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
do not take them, go back to the doctor for updated medicine, the ones you have may not have as much effectiveness.
2006-09-13 15:27:16 · answer #8 · answered by maemae1969 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is so dangerous to take expired medicine but if you're unable to get some fresh supply then you might have to...
expired medicine would have had chemical reactions which change the it's contest already . . .
so please beware !
2006-09-13 15:28:06 · answer #9 · answered by megadisc 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is always dangerous to take expired medication.
Why?
because they make dangerous metabolites....
2006-09-13 15:20:48 · answer #10 · answered by PreviouslyChap 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋