June 2, 2007 - 11:15pm
I have an old bottle of Alprazolam (Xanax) and I am wondering if it is still good. It expired in 2002. Does anyone know what this expiration date really means? Is it now just less potent, or now actually dangerous if consumed? I don't want to get a new prescription as I no longer have insurance, but I don't want to use it if it is dangerous. Any help or direction would be much appreciated. Thanks!
June 2, 2007 - 11:45pm
#2
Thanks
Thanks very much. That seems to be in line with most of the info I am finding. Wish I could help you out with your recent post, but I don't really have anything to offer....
June 3, 2007 - 12:27am
#3
Read This article that
Read This article that Incognito provided us with a link to in a previous post. The same answer applies in your other post as well.
Gtrplayer
June 8, 2007 - 12:53pm
#4
expired medicines
Both my grandparents were doctors, and you could find 20-yr old aspirin in their medicine cabinets. Of course, that could just be them (and it's pretty extreme), but if stored in a dry place away from light I don't see why a few years past the date is a problem for a dry tablet. Liquids are another matter.
June 8, 2007 - 1:27pm
#5
Quote: Liquids are another
Quote:
Liquids are another matter.
Okay, I'm going to be a !%!^ here and point out the double meaning of that phrase. It caught my eye and I thought it was funny.
Gtrplayer
June 8, 2007 - 1:37pm
#6
*[censored]* it is funny
I'm a little slow today
September 7, 2009 - 7:26pm
#7
Expired Hydrocodone / Vicodin!!!
Never take expired anything especially hydrocodone (vicodin) its freakin poisonous. I am a licensed pharmacy technician. I also worked as the company's inventory manager. So the answer is if it's expired, dont take it. the expiration dates are figured out to have the pills last for as long as they can. Anything past that, its a risk. But do not take expired vicodin!! EVER
September 7, 2009 - 7:34pm
#8
One thing that will help is
One thing that will help is to know the actually expiration date. Some pharmacies will put the actual date on the bottle while others put the date one year from the date it was filled. This is when the rx for the medicine expires, but may not be the true life of the medicine. Even if it is prescribed it may be considered illegal if you take it after a year.....not sure.
September 8, 2009 - 7:30am
#9
BS!
People who say that RX's that are poisonous if expired are crazy. It is another way for Pharmaceutical Companies to make more money. Please tell me why would it be poisonous? If it is poisonous after a year what makes you think its not poisonous to begin with? People use your common sense that sounds so ridiculous to even suggest that. I worked at Rite Aide for 4 years and never heard that one from any of our Pharmacists. I have taken many exp vicodin, xanax and I have to say I am fine and thus not poisoned. The only thing the Medical Community says about exp drugs is that it weakens them.
September 8, 2009 - 8:03am
#10
you're right hoon
If anything, most medications that expired just lose potency. The exception would be antibiotics and those could turn poisonous and make a person very sick.
September 8, 2009 - 8:39am
#11
well said
well said
September 8, 2009 - 11:21pm
#12
How rude!
Im not crazy, I was just a pharmacy technician for three years and then also an inventory manager at the same time throughout two of those last years. I was sent across country on 3 business plane trips to gather together at large Inventory Managers Meetings regarding "closed door pharmacies". So please don't call me crazy. Ps. I never said that only after one year, they become poisonous.
September 8, 2009 - 11:42pm
#13
they may become ineffective
an the person would have seizures from withdrawals, but this answer is in general, pertaining to OP original ?
Woodstock
September 8, 2009 - 11:47pm
#14
never thought
about it that way woodman...true that
from my personal expirience, I have taken hydrocodone apap tablets that were expired for a few years and they seemed to be just fine. I really dont think it would be dangerous. I believe that expired meds start to loose some of their potency but Im not 100 percent sure on that, you can always call a pharmacy and ask them.
thanks