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Thread: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

  1. #1
    God/dess Miss Jessica's Avatar
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    Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    Technically I'd think you can, right? Wouldn't it just lose some of it's potency?
    "We all must suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons. In order to achieve what others don't, you have to do what others won't."


  2. #2
    cameron_keys
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    Depends on the meds and exactly how far past expiration it is

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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    I think it depends on what it is. I heard a certain prescription gets stronger with time, but that could be an urban legend. Also, I forgot what pill it was ...

  4. #4
    stellaforstars
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    The military uses expired meds...

    If it's good enough for our troops...

  5. #5
    God/dess Miss Jessica's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    Quote Originally Posted by stellaforstars View Post
    The military uses expired meds...

    If it's good enough for our troops...
    Woah, no shit...
    You know, you're are full of cool little tid bits of info like that. Loves it!
    Well I was in the middle of a shitty panic attack (they happen seldomly, which is why my prescription is expired) so I took it anyways.
    "We all must suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons. In order to achieve what others don't, you have to do what others won't."


  6. #6
    God/dess Miss Jessica's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    Quote Originally Posted by cameron_keys View Post
    Depends on the meds and exactly how far past expiration it is
    It's Xanax and it expired 02/07.... if that happens to help anyone clue me in.
    "We all must suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons. In order to achieve what others don't, you have to do what others won't."


  7. #7
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    i didnt know xanax could expire. interesting.

  8. #8
    God/dess Miss Jessica's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    Quote Originally Posted by PrettyCurlieQ View Post
    I think it depends on what it is. I heard a certain prescription gets stronger with time, but that could be an urban legend. Also, I forgot what pill it was ...
    You know what, I'm sort of believing this at the moment because it kicked in alot faster and a little more intense than I remember. Then again I haven't used it in a long while.
    "We all must suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons. In order to achieve what others don't, you have to do what others won't."


  9. #9
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    Quote Originally Posted by Miss Jessica View Post
    It's Xanax and it expired 02/07.... if that happens to help anyone clue me in.
    Yeah, I initially put Xanax in my post, but I didn't want to give you wrong info. But I think it is Xanax that is stronger after time.

  10. #10
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    Quote Originally Posted by LoveSexMoney View Post
    just call your local pharmacist. they are able to confirm if it would become more or less potent and whether it's ok to take or not.
    SO true! Heart meds. you CAN NOT. They change form (work different in the body) not lose potency, can be deadly.

  11. #11
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    Quote Originally Posted by Miss Jessica View Post
    It's Xanax and it expired 02/07.... if that happens to help anyone clue me in.
    Xanax...my roomate has them when they turn to powder pretty much...he takes it anyway....they lose ALOT of potency, but is do-able.

    If anything, it wont harm you. It wont work.

  12. #12
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    Quote Originally Posted by PrettyCurlieQ View Post
    Yeah, I initially put Xanax in my post, but I didn't want to give you wrong info. But I think it is Xanax that is stronger after time.
    None of the Benzos get stronger with time. They lose that potency quick after expiration. Heart meds, get stronger in a BAD way!

  13. #13
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    Quote Originally Posted by Pamela View Post
    None of the Benzos get stronger with time. They lose that potency quick after expiration. Heart meds, get stronger in a BAD way!
    oic

  14. #14
    cameron_keys
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    You're fine with Xanax...it prob felt strong because you havent taken it in a while and arent used to it anymore. But its not even a year expired...its fine

  15. #15
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    PrettyCurlieQ

    Lol...my roomate has taught me that by watching him.....gosh!!!!!

    They are powder and he still wants to calm down. He has them all...Sheesh.

    LMAO!

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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    Quote Originally Posted by Pamela View Post
    PrettyCurlieQ

    Lol...my roomate has taught me that by watching him.....gosh!!!!!

    They are powder and he still wants to calm down. He has them all...Sheesh.

    LMAO!
    lol maybe if he wants them that bad he's eating the powder, he really does have anxiety issues!

  17. #17
    Veteran Member beautiful.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    Just as a rule of thumb with other meds, check for a funny smell too. But generally I'd advise against taking old meds. By old I dont mean a month or two, more like over a year.

  18. #18
    Kaylinn
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    Most of what is known about drug expiration dates comes from a study conducted by the Food and Drug Administration at the request of the military. With a large and expensive stockpile of drugs, the military faced tossing out and replacing its drugs every few years. What they found from the study is 90% of more than 100 drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, were perfectly good to use even 15 years after the expiration date.
    So the expiration date doesn't really indicate a point at which the medication is no longer effective or has become unsafe to use. Medical authorities state expired drugs are safe to take, even those that expired years ago. A rare exception to this may be tetracycline, but the report on this is controversial among researchers. It's true the effectiveness of a drug may decrease over time, but much of the original potency still remains even a decade after the expiration date. Excluding nitroglycerin, insulin, and liquid antibiotics, most medications are as long-lasting as the ones tested by the military. Placing a medication in a cool place, such as a refrigerator, will help a drug remain potent for many years

  19. #19
    God/dess FrustratedBunny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can you still take a prescription medication when it expires?

    I take my Vicodin long after it expires, sometimes a year or two. Just seems to be a little more weak maybe.

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