How long are antibiotics effective?

Question

I have a chest infection and need an anitbiotic to finally shake it, but I don't have insurance to get one. I got my hands on some Zithromax and Augmentin XR They are stamped with October 1 04 for the Zithromax and 1 04 for the Augmentin. Are these antibiotics ok to take or should they just be pitched?

Thanks.

Answer 1

take them to the pharmacist to get rid of them. Do NOT take them, you will only kill the weaker bacteria and leave the stronger ones in place and will end up with a worse infection. That is why antibiotics are suppose to be taken until the bottle is finished.

Answer 2

How do you know that your chest infection is from a bacteria?
Most are viral, which antibiotics won't touch.

Even if it IS bacterial, taken less than a full course of antibiotics is often worse than taking none.

Call you city/county health department and ask about free/low cost clinics.

Answer 3

It's never good to take expired meds, you never know what could be wrong with them. More than likely, the only thing that is wrong with them, is they have lost their potency, so they would do you no good anyway, what you could do, is call a doctor and see if they have any samples for you...or, go to a doctor that is based on a sliding scale as far as income is concerned. Maybe that will help.

Answer 4

No do not take them. Use instead Oil Oregano as Oil of Oregano is anti viral and anti bacterial. It will increase your immune system. Also use Vitamin C 2000 mg every hour for 4 hour as tolerated by your bowels. Go on a liquid diet for at least 24 hour, like broth, water, vegetable juices ..and avoid sugar. good luck and no worries, enjoy and visualize yourself healthy.

Answer 5

No, they're expired. Flush them.

See a doctor. There are clinics around who take people without insurance.