I have some Lortabs that are a year or more old. I recently got into an accident and instead of buying a new prescription I would like to use up my old ones. Are they still good? How long do pain killers last? Do pills really expire?
2006-12-15 08:02:42 · 5 answers · asked by Addison C 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
They may still be effective, yet they may not.
Most state pharmacy boards require that a 1 year expiration (or less) for medications that are repackaged, such as a prescription bottle from a pharmacy. To know the drug's actual expiration date would require seeing the stock bottle the medication was in prior to dispensing (an impossible task).
Years ago it was not uncommon to see 5 year dating on pharmaceutical products. Today most expiration dates are 3 years or less.
Some products actually deteriorate into harmful substances (such as aspirin, it will smell like vinegar and indicate the presence of salicyclic acid which is harmful), but most just simply lose their potency.
Medications deteriorate faster if exposed to light, moisture, air or heat. Therefore using the bathroom "medicine cabinet" is one of the worst places to store them.
2006-12-17 19:17:43 · answer #1 · answered by Rickydotcom 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Lortabs will probably still work 5 years from now.
2006-12-15 17:58:02 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I spoke to one of the pharmacy's assistance where I get my medicine and he told me that medicines are usually good for a year after they expire.
2006-12-19 00:20:41 · answer #3 · answered by Joseph W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pills do expire in their strength to relieve symptoms (chemicals start to break down). Call a pharmacist and see what they think.
2006-12-15 16:39:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a new prescription, meds start to breakdown after a while and can change the way thay effect you.
2006-12-15 22:46:24 · answer #5 · answered by melissa p 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋