How long are you supposed to keep a drug following the date you got it filled? I know that drugs have an expiration date...

The reason I'm asking is because I found a bottle of Xanax that I had filled in June of 2006. Is it okay to take these?

I thought I heard that once a drug expires it does not mean it's dangerous-- just that it loses effectiveness.

Anybody know?

[jenniferever]

It would not kill you that is for sure. If anything the drug is less potent. June of 2006 means that they are only slightly expired. I have done it myself. Should be fine, if you really want peace of mind call your pharmacy.

[okiedokie]

Shouldn't be a problem.
Okie

[Larry_Hoover]

First off, a prescription that you had filled about a year ago is still likely to be substantially ahead of its expiry date. But those expiry dates are nothing but a marketing strategy, anyway. If they can get people to throw away drugs, and you need some more, you have to get a new supply. There is no scientific evidence that drugs expire, with only limited exceptions. Properly stored, i.e. room temperature, limited humidity, in the dark, drugs last indefinitely. Except for some antimicrobials. Aspirin is another exception. If it smells of vinegar, it is autocatalyzing its own destruction. It'll still work, but it is more prone to causing stomach problems.

The U.S. military has massive stockpiles of medications, some going back to the 2nd World War. They wanted to avoid the expense of replacing "expired" meds, so they tested them. They found no loss of efficacy, except within the class of antimicrobials. But if you're prescribed one of those, you're supposed to use it up completely, anyway, so the issue is truly moot.

Lar

[sunrise]

[okiedokie]

Hi Pink,
Larry is correct. We have stockpiles located all over my state (as I'm Emergency Mgmt. involved). The only expiration dates I would pay attention to are the AB's and antivirals.
Take care,
Okie

[Cheri]

Does that apply to OTC meds, like Benedryl and cough syrup, too?

[OliviaC]

Lar, does that also mean I shouldn't throw away the Vicodin I had in 2004 after elbow surgery? lol....it's still sitting in the cupboard.

Since the pharmacy doesn't generally print the actual expiration date on the bottle my general rule is to discard the medication after one year. I'm a certified pharmacy tech and this is what I have told patients that have asked the same thing. Many expired medications just become less effective over time but there are ones out there that actually become toxic.

[Larry_Hoover]

I appreciate that as a pharmacy tech, you are bound by your training and professional responsibilities. 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. 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 (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
paraldehyde
oral contraceptives
tetracycline
insulin
epinephrine
liquid antibiotics for IV

So, 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 cool. But use common sense. If your life depends on the drug, get fresh. If it looks or smells funny, out it goes.

As far as I can tell, there is one 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.

Lar
(toxicologist)

hello larry hoover. nice to see you :-)
you wanna be my civility buddy???

[chalmette70043]

i just dont understand any of it. i always go by the date on the bottle.

[ECHOES]

Thank you Larry. My doctor told me something similar. That the discard after one year rule is a very broad, general rule and that the expiration date is on the original container, the one the pharmacy uses to fill the prescription. It has nothing to do with what date those meds were put into my Rx bottle. Which makes sense to me.

Thank you for your expanded information and your list. It was helpful to me.