Saturday, March 21, 2009
Is it ok to take expired medication?
It has happened to all of us. We reach into our medicine cabinets and grab the pill bottle and open it as quickly as we can. Some time later we notice that the drugs are past the expiration date on the bottle and we wonder "should I throw the rest of them out?" Most of us do not even notice the expiration date on the bottle and we are probably taking expired medication. Is that dangerous? Should we really just throw away medication after it has expired? (more)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
...
ReplyDeleteStrictly NOT take expired medications is bad for health can lead to death
ReplyDeleteThat's not true. It is the best interest of farmacy industry that we throw away good medication and buy a new one, just because of the expire by date.
ReplyDeleteIn 2000, Laurie P. Cohen in an article for the Wall Street Journal reported that between 1993 and 1998, the military had the FDA test more than 100 drugs –- both prescription and over-the-counter –- finding that 90% of these medications were safe and effective far past their original expiration date. In some cases, eight to fifteen years beyond their expiration dates. By 2008, the number of tested medications was up to 312. (according to http://bipolar.about.com/od/medications/a/expir_when.htm)
What happens is that medication may have its power diminished, but will do no harm, except in the case of insulin, liquid antibiotics and nitroglycerin. There was a case in 1963 of expired tetracyclin having arguably provoked some kidney damage.
So, it is probably safe to take expired medicine, provided it has been stored properly, but even in the case of medicine stored in ambulances kept their properties.
If in doubt do a search in the net. I personally do not care much about the expire date.
hello
ReplyDeleteI think it's so dangerous taking expired medicines because we can get intoxication, because those medications have a expiration date, actually my cousin almost die because taking expired medicines.
ReplyDeleteOh that is fantastic, Quite helpful piece of writing, Thank you for sharing this kind of important information.
ReplyDelete