lara Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Bottle is from 2011... Can I still use it? Will it have any effect? No, I can't simply go get a refill. I suppose I could call a nurse hotline or something and ask but thought someone here might know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaRufina Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 I wouldn't take the xanex. The potency is unknown at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 I agree with Luna; I wouldn't take it either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjimjam Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 I don't think it would be dangerous to take it but it may not work as well as a newly manufactured tablet would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOT Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 I have 3 from 1999. I'm keeping them purely for sentimental purposes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonicwhite Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Do you have anxiety? or a disorder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpladybug Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 I would take one and see if it was effective. Two years is not that old. I just took some year old cough syrup this morning.This has no basis in fact, but three years old is my cut off. This is based on NOTHING that is scientific. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaRufina Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 The reason you don't take expired medication is that it can do a lot of different things as it expires. Losing efficacy is one of them. Becoming MORE potent is another. Becoming straightup TOXIC is another. THIS is why there are expiration dates and why we follow them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOT Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 (edited) The reason you don't take expired medication is that it can do a lot of different things as it expires. Losing efficacy is one of them. Becoming MORE potent is another. Becoming straightup TOXIC is another. This is true. Because we're so used to many just getting 'weaker' we tend to think all are generally 'safe.' There are stories of people taking more of something since it had expired only to end up seriously fucked up because it had become stronger. Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Or a reputable online site (I trust Mayo's stuff, generally, but i don't know if they have anything on specific meds and expiration dates/results.) Edited January 27, 2013 by TOT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpladybug Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 I did not know that. I'll be more careful in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjimjam Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 I didn't know that either. Maybe disregard my earlier post.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 The xanax I get in boxes generally has a 3 year shelf life fwiw. I sometimes get it up to 6 months after it was manufactured though, but each blister pack is stamped with the useby date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrankyMe Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Well, Harvard Medical School seems to have a different view in this article. They note only one exception. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaRufina Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 I'm not clear on whether that applies to rx/loose meds or blister-pack and otc pills or everything? I guess it really is best to ask your pharmacist, though they may give you the party line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 DH used to do assays at a pharma company, and at least for the meds he worked on, the expiration date was the last point at which a company had an obligation to keep samples to test, in the event of some kind of a recall. So basically, while I wouldn't use any expired antibiotics personally, most meds are just given expiration dates for litigation purposes. I don't know if they retain their potency forever, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lara Posted February 3, 2013 Author Share Posted February 3, 2013 I appreciate all the responses. I ended up not taking any, but I haven't tossed the bottle. After my lovely anxiety filled raging temper tantrum passed, I remembered I took some about 4 months ago without realizing they were expired with no ill effects. That said, now that -I know- the bottle is expired i'll probably be too scared to take them. Need to suck it up and go to the dr to get a current prescription I guess but going to the dr gives me anxiety (go figure) not to mention $200 + price tag for the visit. I don't use the Zanex very often so it hasn't seemed necessary but it probably is. sigh. Thanks again for the interesting discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Energizerhoney Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 (edited) I used to do volunteer work in a clinic for ppl who had no money and no insurance. It was ran by both a Dr and a pharmacist. All of our meds we gave were 1 year expired (that's how we got them for free). So, no, not giving medical advice, just wanted to share my experience working with 1 year expired meds. Edited February 3, 2013 by Energizerhoney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAL9000 Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 I sort of guessed what the Harvard Review published. It would be difficult to make these drugs break down that fast (My opinion) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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