does it loose it poatness
2007-02-28 03:35:48 · 8 answers · asked by david a 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
it usually expires in about two years
2007-02-28 03:43:11 · answer #1 · answered by Lizzy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The liquid needs to be refrigerated and expires fairly quickly. The pills last a bit longer. The expiration date is set by the companies, but it is good for several years, if only a little less effective.
It is important to take a whole course of penacillin, 5 r 10 days worth depending on the problem. So the potency may be okay, but you may not have enough to do the job.
2007-02-28 03:49:00 · answer #2 · answered by science teacher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes - it does! There should be an expiration date on your prescription bottle - if not, you may want to check with the pharmacy that filled it - they can probably tell you what the expiration date is of the stock bottle that it was filled from. It does loose its potency - and it will be useless to treat any kind of infection that you may have. Don't use expired antibiotics - they can potentially be harmful - and - they don't treat an active infection - thereby allowing it to worsen. It's better to be "safe than sorry" - you might need to see a physician for a new diagnosis, since the antibiotic you used for the last illness might not be right for your current situation - in any case, using "fresh" antibiotics is a preferable choice, rather than trying to use outdated ones to treat an illness. Hope you're feeling better soon! :-)
2007-02-28 03:47:53 · answer #3 · answered by Jack Rabbit 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Check the expiration date on the bottle or to its packet.
2007-02-28 03:44:37 · answer #4 · answered by briggs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does.
penicillin is produced by fungus, which it uses for defending against its natural enemies in the environment.
so if it is left in air it will do its job, that is it will attack the natural enemies in the environment, as answers above, it expires quickly in liquid form(refridgerating it slows down the reaction and also the chances of it finding an enemy is low in refridge) because the rate of reaction is faster than that in solid form, since water is essential for the reactions to occur. in solid form moisture in air provides the water, since water vapour is in low concentration in air, so the reaction is slow, and expiry date is longer!
2007-02-28 04:01:43 · answer #5 · answered by Faisaltheonly1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in liquid form yes it does pretty quickly I have been told.......ie after opened and come into contact with the air..............if you might mean the stuff they give to kids that you must keep in a fridge then that expires after 3 weeks so never hold on to that.
Tablet form sorry not sure about.............
2007-02-28 03:44:46 · answer #6 · answered by candy g 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes like most other things. Humans expire too, don't they?
2007-02-28 05:21:41 · answer #7 · answered by Prof Hao 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
2007-02-28 07:30:40 · answer #8 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋