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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by PaulB on October 19, 2001, at 14:58:14
I would like to ask a question concerning medications that have passed their expiry date. The question just roused my curiousity although I do have a friend who is studying pharmacology and would be interested in your response.
Q: Can antidepressant medications and benzodiazepines that are past their expiry date still be effective and if so for how long, years?
My educated guess would be that, in general with medications, with the exception of some antibiotics, the deterioration with time is minimal.
Thanks
PaulB
Posted by jane d on October 20, 2001, at 11:39:28
In reply to Nierenberg-Meds Past Expiry Date, posted by PaulB on October 19, 2001, at 14:58:14
Paul - There's several entries about this in the Psychopharmacology tips section of this site. Just go to "Tips" at the very top of the page and then search on "expiration". They seem to agree with your guess that the actual life of most drugs last long beyond the expiration date. I think you would probably also find posts on the subject by searching the archives of this board. - Jane
Posted by PaulB on October 20, 2001, at 12:48:43
In reply to Re: Meds Past Expiry Date » PaulB, posted by jane d on October 20, 2001, at 11:39:28
Thankyou Jane, I was not aware of this.
PaulB
Posted by Jane D on October 20, 2001, at 12:56:27
In reply to Re: Meds Past Expiry Date, posted by PaulB on October 20, 2001, at 12:48:43
Paul - I didn't mean to sound critical if I did. Just thought you might find the tips interesting. - Jane
Posted by susan C on October 20, 2001, at 20:02:19
In reply to Nierenberg-Meds Past Expiry Date, posted by PaulB on October 19, 2001, at 14:58:14
My pharmasist recommended that I not get more than six months supply (HA HA) of ambien at a time...as after six months the potency deteriorates. I have noticed, if my hand is wet, they start to dissolve. Definately not a 'melt in your mouth not in your hand' variety...Other things seem to have a coating on them. Depakote smells like vanilla and has vanilian in the contents???It is a good thing I dont have kids to worry about...Those things smell like a fresh baked cookie...and they wonder why people gain weight on Bepakote...sorry, I got a little off track here...
mouse with a drug supply
susan C> I would like to ask a question concerning medications that have passed their expiry date. The question just roused my curiousity although I do have a friend who is studying pharmacology and would be interested in your response.
>
> Q: Can antidepressant medications and benzodiazepines that are past their expiry date still be effective and if so for how long, years?
>
> My educated guess would be that, in general with medications, with the exception of some antibiotics, the deterioration with time is minimal.
> Thanks
> PaulB
Posted by Rakken on October 21, 2001, at 13:52:34
In reply to Re: Nierenberg-Meds Past Expiry Date, posted by susan C on October 20, 2001, at 20:02:19
I had a friend who once found 4 filled bottles of Valium (100 per bottle). They were from the early 80's or so I believe. Anyways he found them in the early 90's. They were still very "effective" as he put it. Its a benzo, so I think it would apply to the others in a related way.
Posted by PaulB on October 22, 2001, at 18:00:43
In reply to Nierenberg-Meds Past Expiry Date, posted by PaulB on October 19, 2001, at 14:58:14
Thahnkyou for all of you psycho-babblers input...............so far
PaulB
This is the end of the thread.
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