Can you take antibiotics that are out of date?

Answer 1

As with most things, even medicine has got an expiry date.

This does not mean that it does not work or does not have an effect after the date.

Normally it just states that it is less effective after its expiry date.

Some medicine even decompose into slightly poisonous components after a while.

For antibiotics, the danger should be low, especially if it has been stored in a cold environment. Cold slows down decomposing, hence prolonging useful "lifetime".

These days I have even seen bottles of pure alcohol with an expiry date on them.

I surely didn't know alcohol decompose when its kept airtight, but I could be wrong of course :-) (Wouldn't keep it in direct sunlight though)

Personally I wouldn't mind using antibiotics that is past its use by date, but be sensible.

A few months shouldn't make a difference. A year, two, or more may just mean that you get very little if any effect from it at all.

If ever in doubt, consult a doctor or at least a pharmacist.

My views does not necessarily reflect the view of the pharmacy industry or the view of any doctors.

My views are logically based.

One can perfectly well eat dry cookies after their sell by date, the experience of eating such cookies may just not be as nice as that of eating a freshly baked one.

Answer 2

yes out of date antibiotics just means they may not be as effective because with age their strength weakens. This is the answer given by the pharmacist.