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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

Expiring Pills

Asparagus_Prince

Asparagus_Prince

Bluelighter
Joined
Jan 19, 2021
Messages
350
Location
'merica
I'd like to hear some opinions on to what extent meds lose their effectiveness after expiring.

I'm asking because I've acquired some Gabapentin from 2023. Someone told me I should up my dose since they're older but I'm not sure that's necessary.

I don't have much experience with this, but I do know I once popped a Benzo that was more than 5 years expired. And it seemed to work just fine to me.
 
It’s true some medications get less potent after expiration but I’m not sure about Gabapentin specifically.

I would probably take my normal dose first and see how I felt before I increased it. They might be fine still.
 
That's probably what I'm going to do. Start with my normal dose.

I am indeed curious if anyone has any anecdotes or personal experience with this and Gabas. But I'm curious about experiences with ANY medications too. Even OTC stuff. Has anyone noticed that X medication seems to be ineffective after 3 years, but not Y med?
 
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I don't think it makes much difference, except in the case of antibiotics. Don't know about gabs, but I've taken really ancient diazepam, xanax, opis where the pills were actually starting to crumble and gotten solid effects as far as I could tell. Of course, hard to figure out the dose if too crumbled
 
The only personal experience I’ve had is with lorazepam which was fine a couple years after expiration
 
Some medication that is light sensitive will loose potency quickly, it comes wrapped in aluminum foil and it will say on the label not to expose it to light.
 
Chemically, gabapentin is a fairly robust molecule. It doesn't contain particularly hydrolysis-prone functional groups like an ester. Its zwitterionic nature also contributes to its relatively good solid-state stability.

If stored in good conditions you should expect Gabapentin to remain active for decades.
 
Asparagus_Prince said:
I've been suspecting that... lol, no I have no idea what any of that means.
Click to expand...
Gabepentin is a zwitterion meaning its a neutral molecule that has both positive and negative charges on different sides if the same Gabapentin molecule. These opposing charges cancel eachother out, meaning the entire molecule has a net charge of zero.

When two Gabapentin molecules contact eachother, the positive side of molecule A is strongly attracted to the negative side of molecule B. This forms a very strong ionic bond which requires lots of energy to break.

This is why Gabapentin has good stability.
 
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TheFunkeeJunkee said:
This is why Gabapentin has good stability.
Click to expand...

It is. What specific receptors do they target besides gaba or are there any.

I was just wondering because I always end up having some on hand one way or another

anyway they make me sick and I was wondering why ?? I have no use for them and

they don't even help with pain ?

I'm just wondering because I have had some good stuff and I seem to know the difference

optimum purity effects.

Gabapentin seems dirty and dull. Or am I wrong. Correct me to what this really is ?

I call it garbage. Bu t then again I'm a Snob. I'm sure

Any help would be appreciated because I am thinking of dropping the last bottle into

the garbage however, I save everything. I value your comment thanks.
 
Ki3ly said:
It is. What specific receptors do they target besides gaba or are there any.

I was just wondering because I always end up having some on hand one way or another

anyway they make me sick and I was wondering why ?? I have no use for them and

they don't even help with pain ?

I'm just wondering because I have had some good stuff and I seem to know the difference

optimum purity effects.

Gabapentin seems dirty and dull. Or am I wrong. Correct me to what this really is ?

I call it garbage. Bu t then again I'm a Snob. I'm sure

Any help would be appreciated because I am thinking of dropping the last bottle into

the garbage however, I save everything. I value your comment thanks.
Click to expand...
If you're looking for headache relief, or muscle pain relief, then Gaba isn't for you. And if you're looking to get high off it... well, that's a different conversation altogether.

I have a lot of nerve pain due to a rare medical condition/birth defect followed by 2 car accidents that did something to me neurologically. I get these streaking, electric jolts of pain that are hard to describe. But gabapentin works well for that.
 
Asparagus_Prince said:
If you're looking for headache relief, or muscle pain relief, then Gaba isn't for you. And if you're looking to get high off it... well, that's a different conversation altogether.

I have a lot of nerve pain due to a rare medical condition/birth defect followed by 2 car accidents that did something to me neurologically. I get these streaking, electric jolts of pain that are hard to describe. But gabapentin works well for that.
Click to expand...

It always seems to be noted it is in fact very good for nerve pain. I don't actually have that ... kind of pain.

It doesn't get me high. The kind of high I would consider high. haha.

~~~

It helps so many out so much. It's to strong for me and my stomach I suppose. And I don't mix too many medicines

anymore. I am so glad that it can help you in your ailing. That's so important in aiding with a good quality of life.

Thank you.
 
My pain is chronic and better however it's autoimmune related now only.
 
Yes, I'm sure enough gabapentin will get you high like at the 300mg timed dosing

up to 900 is supposed to be a good high so it does work somehow !!! for a recreation high

it seems extreme for that purpose however.
 
Ki3ly said:
It is. What specific receptors do they target besides gaba or are there any.

I was just wondering because I always end up having some on hand one way or another

anyway they make me sick and I was wondering why ?? I have no use for them and

they don't even help with pain ?

I'm just wondering because I have had some good stuff and I seem to know the difference

optimum purity effects.

Gabapentin seems dirty and dull. Or am I wrong. Correct me to what this really is ?

I call it garbage. Bu t then again I'm a Snob. I'm sure

Any help would be appreciated because I am thinking of dropping the last bottle into

the garbage however, I save everything. I value your comment thanks.
Click to expand...
Gabapentin (and pregabalin) do not meaningfully interact with GABA at all.

Instead gabapentinoids disrupt the normal functioning of a specific voltage gated calcium channel subunit.

This reduces the release of calcium dependent neurotransmitters such as glutamate, noradrenaline, substance P and a few other excitatory neurotransmitters.

The result is similar to GABAergic drugs: excitatory neurotransmitter tone is reduced.
 
Asparagus_Prince said:
I'd like to hear some opinions on to what extent meds lose their effectiveness after expiring.

I'm asking because I've acquired some Gabapentin from 2023. Someone told me I should up my dose since they're older but I'm not sure that's necessary.

I don't have much experience with this, but I do know I once popped a Benzo that was more than 5 years expired. And it seemed to work just fine to me.
Click to expand...
Depends on the drug man and how shelf stable the compound is naturally. That said, generally safe to assume most drugs are good for 2-3 years past the listed exp date. Antibiotics and such degrade much faster though so ymmv. Youll likely still have normal results with your gabbys tho if stored properly.
 
I feel like a big percentage of medication keeps its potency. I have found 12 13 or older year old hydrocodone

packed away from moving and it still worked just fine. Depends on the structure of the med probably.

I wouldn't trust certain antibiotics however.


Oh and I always figured it being dated was more of a serial number branding and for documentation. My only concern would be

the anti biotic freshness somehow.


I used to think that they got stronger too. That probably was the tolerance break. lol. I think they all have

strength residue as a medicine tends to. That is all.
 
Ki3ly said:
I feel like a big percentage of medication keeps its potency. I have found 12 13 or older year old hydrocodone

packed away from moving and it still worked just fine. Depends on the structure of the med probably.

I wouldn't trust certain antibiotics however.


Oh and I always figured it being dated was more of a serial number branding and for documentation. My only concern would be

the anti biotic freshness somehow.


I used to think that they got stronger too. That probably was the tolerance break. lol. I think they all have

strength residue as a medicine tends to. That is all.
Click to expand...
The date is a legality and a suggestion. Thats the amount of time from being on shelf that they can actually guarntee full potency. Most meds are good a few years but ya antibiotics not so much
 
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