[Chris99]

HI,

I've been on Lamotrigine for a year or more. I'm currently on 150 mg. I was on it a couple of times previously, as long as 8 years ago. I had a store of old medicines, so when I left for overseas I took them all with me, so I'd have enough to cover me while away for up to one year.

I suspect that at the moment I'm taking tablets that are quite old, a couple of years or more. I can see the Lamotrigine is working to a degree, since I'm really quite ok in general, but I can lapse into feeling quite flat or even down for a time. I've read that it is a myth that medicines lose much of their potency, despite the official line. Nevertheless, I have reason to believe that my Lamotrigine is not working as well as it should. Could it be the age of the tablets? Any advice would be appreciated !

[Travelinglady]

Hi, Chris11, and welcome to Psych Central! I personally would be suspicious of meds over a year old. But you can ask a pharmacist about them. The main thing I'd be concerned about is their being poisonous and/or ineffective, as you're concerned about. Are you overseas now?

I'll try to remember (my memory has been affected by meds) to ask a pharmacist tomorrow and get back with you....

[Travelinglady]

Okay, I talked to a pharmacist. She said not to take meds that are over a year old because they "might not be as effective." I hope that helps!

Yes, it isn't so much dangerous s it is the active ingredients get stale.

[Chris99]

Thanks. Yes, I'm overseas. I'm kind of trying to manage these meds myself in the absence of a doc or psych. Last few days I've had rashes. I have been a bit worried because of what I've heard about the Lamotrigine-caused rash, but it's unlikely. I started taking magnesium supplements and iron supplements (being a vegetarian) thinking that that might help, since the Lamotrigine seemed only to be partially effective. Magnesium can cause a rash of some kind, but so can wheat, and I've had a lot of bread lately....

Originally Posted by Travelinglady

Hi, Chris11, and welcome to Psych Central! I personally would be suspicious of meds over a year old. But you can ask a pharmacist about them. The main thing I'd be concerned about is their being poisonous and/or ineffective, as you're concerned about. Are you overseas now?

I'll try to remember (my memory has been affected by meds) to ask a pharmacist tomorrow and get back with you....

[TicTacGo]

I am glad that someone could give you advice straight from a pharmacist.

For future reference, I would not take that risk. Some drugs are okay for extended use, past what they set as a use-by-date just to cover their ***. Others however, are much less effective over a long period of time, when they have been through various conditions and just lying there.

This is also why some meds have to stay in a blister pack until you use them, so that no light can alter their chemical properties. (I am personally not a fan of boxed meds at all- I like bottles.)

So definitely ditch old meds (I know you may hate wasting things- I am so like that) and especially if they are over a year old.