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Depends on the form of the medicine and also of the substance. Many medicines keep part of their pharmacological properties during a certain period of time after expiration date, but as none can tell for sure how long the medicine is still effective, the best choice is to purchase a new one. Psychological effects can make the medicine not effective if you don't trust it. (Jim west70)
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∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoPer the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, medications have expiration dates because that is how long the manufacturer can guarantee the potency of the medication. However a study done by the FDA for the US Military showed that most medication is effective after 10 years of storage. For the entire article check out this link.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoIt depends on the presciption drug. Consult your pharmacist to be on the safe side.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoTypically the expiration date is posted on the bottle or container. If not, ask your druggist.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoIt is probably unsafe to use prescription drugs after the expiration date, and you should renew the prescription or contact your doctor.
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How long is Albuterol good after expiration date?
They can last forever. The only problem with using them past the expiration date is the longer the inhaler goes past the expiration date the less effective the medication will be.
Will metronidazole that is expired hurt you or will it work?
It is not recommended to take any medication past the expiration date that is printed on it. The Metronidazole will have a date on it. After that date, it could be dangerous to take the medication and it probably won't work to help the person at all.
Is it safe to take AZO Standard past expiration date?
The expiration date is how long the medication is guaranteed to be potent for. You should be fine to take it past its exp date, just might not work as well.
Can you use asmanex inhaler past the expiration date?
You don't want to use any medication past the expiration date, as it will not work as effectively as it should. Your asthma may not be as well controlled if you use Asmanex past its expiration date, which is 45 days from when you open it.
Can you keep vicodin for five years and still use them?
Look for an expiration date before you do. I dont think you should take anything that is 5 years old unless the expiration date is up to date. The expiration date is exactly one year after the day you got it filled at the pharmacy. You should never take expired medications. Some people do, and they are fine. But others are left with some severe complications, while others receive no effect from the medication at all since they are expired and no longer work. Is it really worth the risk? Just go to the doctor, and tell him that you need an updated prescription. He will evaluate you and will probably update the prescription for you. Be sure to bring the other bottle (empty of course) with you. You can flush the expired medication.
Can you take sleeping aids 5 years after expiration date?
You can do what you want, but I would not recommend it. Medication has an expiration date for a reason. Most of the time, it means the medication just will be not as effective, but sometimes it can be harmful. Recommend you consult with a pharmacist about your specific situation. No! medication is not everlasting, the expiry date is a quality issue, it may be possible for SOME medications to still be usefull SHORTLY after the expiration date, if kept in ideal conditions, however this rarely is the case, heat, light, humidity all work to deterorate the efectiveness of most medications, which is what the expiry date was designed for. So it is best not to use it.
Do diet pills still work after expiration date?
diet pills after expiration
Can you take expired diarrhea medicine?
It is best not to take expired medication. The medication does expire and will not work properly if taken after the date of expiration. ( If it works at all. ) Your best bet is to go to a local drug sore and get you a new package that satisfies you and be sure to check the expiration date. Hope this helped. (: Medication must be at least 90% effective at its expiration date and cannot degrade forming any harmful compounds. Also many meds are stable beyond the standard 2 year exp. date, its just not worth the expense for a company to continue testing it. So generally an expired med should not hurt you, it just may not work.
Can prescription medicines be used after the discard date?
It is best to not use drugs past their expiration date. Over time, drugs, especially generics, lose some of their active ingredients. This changes the dosage in unpredictable ways. At best, the medications my become ineffective.
Can you take fioricet after 7 months expiration date?
Expiration dates mean the date that the drug is full-strength. After that date, it's no longer as effective. You can take it, but it probably won't work well.
Does polyethylene Glycol 3350 work after expiration date?
I have some that is year over date, and it works fine.
Is it all right to use liquid medicine after expiring within 7 months?
No. The whole point of the expiration date is to let you know not to use it after that. That said, in many cases they just don't work as well, as opposed to actually becoming dangerous. But unless you know for certain this is true of the specific medication you have, you should throw them away after their expiration date.
