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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by B2chica on October 31, 2007, at 7:43:45
ok, so i'm starting my wellbutrinXL(150) but i really can't afford much so i want to use my meds from before i was pregnant. the date i had that Rx filled was 03/20/06 and says to use before 03/20/07.
will these still be effective?
i took my first one today.i also have a higher dose of wellbutrin (300)-which is what i'll taper up to, and zyprexa all from about the same dates...
any comments on these is welcome also.Thanks
b2c
Posted by tecknohed on October 31, 2007, at 8:03:00
In reply to out dated meds?, posted by B2chica on October 31, 2007, at 7:43:45
I remember a similar thread to this some time ago. Try the archives.
I think the worse that can happen is that the meds may be less potent. You shouldn't have any bad reactions, especially as the 'use by' date was only 7 months ago. 7 years might be a different story.Just my opinion - I dont do lab tests. Do others agree?
Posted by B2chica on October 31, 2007, at 8:16:48
In reply to Re: out dated meds? » B2chica, posted by tecknohed on October 31, 2007, at 8:03:00
Thanks Tecknohed!
i found this...its pretty much what i'd been hearing. though it was good to here about the other (dangerous ones also).
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Drug-expiration-dates.html
Posted by Larry Hoover on October 31, 2007, at 9:10:37
In reply to out dated meds?, posted by B2chica on October 31, 2007, at 7:43:45
> ok, so i'm starting my wellbutrinXL(150) but i really can't afford much so i want to use my meds from before i was pregnant. the date i had that Rx filled was 03/20/06 and says to use before 03/20/07.
> will these still be effective?Should be, if properly stored. Medication should be kept dry, at room temperature, and in the dark.
Many pharmacy chains automatically put a 12 month expiry on all medication they dispense. In 17 states, they are required by law to do so. The problem is, there is no basis in science for such a practise.
Before 1978, the FDA did not require expiry dates on medication, although some manufacturers provided one. The FDA invited a discussion on the subject. Industry lobbyists argued for 60 months, but the FDA finally drafted legislation that allows each manufacturer to set their own expiries. The most common is 24 months from manufacture. They could put one day, one year, whatever they want. All they must do is pick a date that is within the actual lifespan of the drug, under normal storage conditions. A drug good for a hundred years or more (e.g. opiates) could be labelled as expiring in one month. That would be legal.
Now, there are some drugs which do deteriorate. That is without question, but those drugs are well known for these characteristics. Here are the ones I know of:
Tegretol® (carbemazapine)
nitroglycerin
Coumadin® (warfarin)
Procan SR® (sustained release procainamide)
Theophylline SR (sustained release theophylline)
Lanoxin® (digoxin)
thyroid preparations (may be related to storage conditions)
paraldehyde
oral contraceptives (may be related to storage conditions)
tetracycline
insulin
epinephrine
liquid antibiotics for IV, or for pediatric useSo, some hormones, and a few odds and sods. Bottom line, properly stored, meds last indefinitely. A good place is a dresser drawer. Or the fridge, if there's a dessicant in the container. Foil blister packs are superb for preserving meds. Keep 'em dry. Keep 'em dark. Keep 'em (relatively) cool. But use common sense. If your life depends on the drug, get fresh. If it looks or smells funny, out it goes.
The U.S. military has been conducting testing and recertification programs for medication for over a decade. They have vast stores of medication in warehouses around the world. To try and cut costs of replacing what might be useful drugs, they began submitting samples for FDA-sanctioned analysis. Even drugs stored in non-air conditioned tropical warehouses were fine. Those drugs are recertified, and sent back out. I don't know of any exceptions, except those on the list, above.
As far as I can tell, there is one documented case of a toxic reaction to old meds, and that involves one single person developing a reversible kidney disorder from expired tetracycline, in 1966. And even that case is not accepted by some critics. In all other cases (the list I gave) decreased efficacy is the result. Not toxicity, but decreased efficacy.
Lar
Posted by B2chica on October 31, 2007, at 11:05:46
In reply to Re: out dated meds? » B2chica, posted by Larry Hoover on October 31, 2007, at 9:10:37
well your just a warehouse of good info Lar!
thanks so much.
i'm gonna hang on to that list.
ty
b2c.
Posted by Phillipa on October 31, 2007, at 12:21:48
In reply to Re: out dated meds? » Larry Hoover, posted by B2chica on October 31, 2007, at 11:05:46
Yes I am too I keep forgetting it's the antibiotics that don't do well. Good luck Phillipa
Posted by tecknohed on October 31, 2007, at 14:26:06
In reply to Re: out dated meds? » B2chica, posted by Larry Hoover on October 31, 2007, at 9:10:37
You forgot one: Nardil (UK Nardil), especially if its not kept refridgerated. Not sure about 'new' Nardil though.
Still, you know your stuff mate!
Posted by Zyprexa on October 31, 2007, at 14:43:00
In reply to out dated meds?, posted by B2chica on October 31, 2007, at 7:43:45
Most meds are good for a lot longer than the pharmacy states. Most pharmacys say they are good for one year from date filled, regardless of the actual expiry date which is usually 2+ years. My doctor says they are good for a lot longer!
Posted by yxibow on October 31, 2007, at 23:39:19
In reply to Re: out dated meds?, posted by Zyprexa on October 31, 2007, at 14:43:00
At least here in California most pharmacies seem to put 18 months instead of 12 now.
Posted by Phillipa on November 1, 2007, at 20:16:13
In reply to Re: out dated meds?, posted by yxibow on October 31, 2007, at 23:39:19
Really didn't know that still a year here. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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