Misc "Expired" Pills?

[stuckinsouthdakota]

I have a few questions about expired pills. All pills for the most part say they expire a year after they were filled. What happens to pill, do they get weaker?, is it dangerous?

For example, oxycodone, that was filled in Jan. 2008, and amphetamine salts filled in 2008 would these still be safe to take?

Are the pills just weakened in their ability to work, or do they get stronger?

 

[HdoubleODeezy]

i would say with the given drugs and dates you stated that there has been no change in the pills and are the same as the day you got them at the pharmacy.. it depends which drugs but it could take decades for some to lose potency or become "bad".. example before i was on subs (3 years ago) i took percs (or were they tylenol 3s?? damn i don't remember, oh well) but i remember the year they were from and it was '93 (yes raided a med cabinet.. we've all done it at some point lol) and even tho my tolerance was too high for them, they still held off w/d's..

 

[doIhavePotential]

as long as it was stored properly it should be ok,.

 

[stuckinsouthdakota]

Thanks HdoubleODeezy!

doIhavePotential--what does stored properly mean

 

[jackie jones]

Certain medications such as antibiotics or meds that require refrigeration do not have a long shelf life. Meds such as opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or amphetamines will last indefinitely as long as they are stored in a sealed container away from heat, light, and moisture.

 

[HdoubleODeezy]

^ true, thanks for clearing that up.. in my post i was generally referring to opiates, benzos and barbs.. not thinking of other un-abused types of meds.

 

[pahn]

well-put guys. i just wanted to add that some medications become toxic when expired, and can do quite a bit of damage to ur insides. im no pharmacist, but i'd say wit the things u mentioned it would take a while longer for them to become dangerous. if it were me i prolly woulda ate em allready! (sigh... damn i'm a junkie) if you are that worried bout taking em, just make sure someone else is around to monitor you in case somethin bad happens. good luck bro.

 

[HdoubleODeezy]

^ could you elaborate for harm reduction sake on which pills get toxic over time or when they expire? besides antibiotics as already stated?

 

[pahn]

Many drugs stored under reasonable conditions retain 90 percent of their potency for at least five years after the expiration date on the label, and sometimes much longer. However, there have been cases of medications losing their potency much sooner. No one knows for sure if expired medications are safe. For the most part the toxicity aspect highly effects mostly children and the elderly because of their underdeveloped or decreased immune systems.

 

[pahn]

Most doctors compare taking expired medicine to eating expired food. sometimes expired meat will have no effect, other times it can make you deathly ill. its like playing russian roullette. as for which medications turn toxic...i cant really say for sure. as i said, im no pharmacist. i hate to be so vague, but i hope that this helps. use your best judgement when taking the drugs. test the water so to speak...just take a couple, and wait a few hrs and see how you feel. or if you dont want to risk it, then just flush em! good luck and be safe!