Is it safe to take Amoxicillin if it expires September of 2006, making it 8 months expired??

Question

I have a terrible rash on my ear and my scalp from my hair dye, it itches like crazy and it's inflamed. And there's little bumps on my ears.
Anyone know if expired Amoxicillin will still be safe and effective to take?
Any other ideas to help an ear and head rash??
Thanks for any help you cann provide in advance, it is much appreaciated. :))

Answer 1

First, do NOT take prescription meds (which is what amoxicillin is) unless you are instructed to do so by your physician. Part of the reason we have all these "super bugs" is people taking antibiotics when they're not needed.

Second, taking expired meds is NOT a good idea. The reason they have an expiration date on them is because they breakdown overtime and the efficacy of the active ingredients can vary wildly after that date. They can either be WAY too strong or WAY to weak and actually do more harm to your health than good.

Your symptoms are NOT consistent with a bacterial infection, at all. You either have a chemical burn or an allergic reaction. I would highly recommend trying an over-the-counter product like Benadryl. If your issues don't clear up with that use, go see your doctor to get to the bottom of the issue.

Whatever you do, flush those expired meds down your toilet. They're worthless to you and could cause some serious complications if used.

Answer 2

Here in the U.K. antibiotics cannot be bought over the counter and, when acquired from a doctor on prescription, we are given just the correct amount to treat the condition. We should take it exactly as required, not missing any doses and this means that there will be NONE left over to store at home. Antibiotics taken incorrectly usually just encourage the problem to come back because it wasn't totally dealt with when all the medication was not taken. If you can buy it without a prescription there is no way of knowing whether you deal with them correctly or not but I'd be surprised if you can obtain them yourself. As for whether or not they are safe - the packet should give an expiry date, which should still apply to tablets. With liquid medication though the life is shortened once the bottle is open and, as you are meant to take it all, that doesn't matter because there should be none left to become out-of-date.

Answer 3

amoxicillin will do nothing to help with your rash, and it can create resistant bacteria if you take it to no purpose. Expired drugs should be discarded anyway, as they lose their potency exponentially each month.
Your rash is likely an allergic reaction, you will get more relief and treat it more effectively to take 50 mg of Benadryl, do not drive when you take Benadryl, it will make you sleepy. You can also get more relief from applying Caladryl lotion to the rash.

Answer 4

medicines,especially the pills can be taken although it expires even 2 year.There is no risk . The only thing that will change after expiration,is the level of the productivity from the pill.
it will give %70 productivity for example,so no worries.

Answer 5

yes, it's not like milk where you have to pay as close attention to the expiration date. However an antibiotic is not what you need for a chemical iritation unless you've scratched it and gotten it infected. Try aloe.

Answer 6

Yes it is safe. The pills may not be full strength but they will not hurt you. My mother had antibiotics that were 2 yrs old and they work out just fine. Doctores don't recommend it but.....It also sounds like you are allergic....take Benidryl

Answer 7

i would not take amox....since its expired and the reaction ur feeling is not due to bacteria..amox is an anti-baterial....i would go to ur local pharmacy and show the rash to a pharmacist and maybe he or she will tell you to take benadryl or something else...or if severe they might recommend goin to a doctor

Answer 8

i have no experience or knowledge.. but i wouldn't take it. it could do more harm than good & also try & go to the doctors if you can about the rash.. good luck x

Answer 9

is it safe to EAT essentially something that the maker says is EXPIRED,, i'm sure its not the best solution