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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Franz on March 14, 2003, at 22:05:39
Hello,
I would like to know what happens to medicines after the expiry date. Do they become toxic or just less effective because some of the drug deteriorated?.
Thanks
Posted by Shawn. T. on March 15, 2003, at 15:35:58
In reply to Preservation of medicines, posted by Franz on March 14, 2003, at 22:05:39
Longevity really depends on the drug and the conditions that it's stored in. Never take antibiotics that have expired. Liquid forms should probably be tossed out when they expire as well. Usually, the potency of solid drugs will decrease very slowly over time depending on storage conditions; most drugs will not become toxic (except some antibiotics). Factors such as heat, humidity, exposure to air, exposure to light, and perhaps others can affect drug longevity.
http://www.medicalletter.com/freedocs/expdrugs.pdf
http://www.wellnesstoday.com/use_of_drugs_past_the_expiration_date.htm
Shawn
Posted by Cam W. on March 15, 2003, at 21:24:55
In reply to Re: Preservation of medicines, posted by Shawn. T. on March 15, 2003, at 15:35:58
Which anibiotics turn poisionous a short time past the expiry date?
- Thanks, Cam
Posted by BekkaH on March 15, 2003, at 23:51:42
In reply to Re: Preservation of medicines » Shawn. T., posted by Cam W. on March 15, 2003, at 21:24:55
> Which anibiotics turn poisionous a short time past the expiry date?> - Thanks, Cam
I read that doxycycline, a form of tetracycline, can turn poisonous after the expiration date.
Bekka
Posted by Hattree on March 17, 2003, at 10:50:10
In reply to Re: Preservation of medicines » Shawn. T., posted by Cam W. on March 15, 2003, at 21:24:55
Posted by Shawn. T. on March 17, 2003, at 11:36:11
In reply to Re: Preservation of medicines » Shawn. T., posted by Cam W. on March 15, 2003, at 21:24:55
I tried to find the names of other antibiotics other than doxycycline that might be dangerous after expiring. There doesn't seem to be much more than a general consensus that antibiotics should not be taken past their expiration dates; specific research doesn't seem to exist. Perhaps the problem was with my search strings, but I tried a few different strategies.
Shawn
Posted by Cam W. on March 22, 2003, at 3:35:52
In reply to Re: Preservation of medicines - CamW., posted by BekkaH on March 15, 2003, at 23:51:42
> > Which anibiotics turn poisionous a short time past the expiry date?> - Thanks, Cam
>
> I read that doxycycline, a form of tetracycline, can turn poisonous after the expiration date.
>
> Bekka
>
>
I'm fairly sure that you are right; I seem to vaguely remember something about that. If I' not mistaken, the manufacturers apply much shorter than necessary expiry dates on the drug lots. I haven't personally heard of anyone getting sick from degradated doxycycline (Vibramycin™), though.When I started in pharmacy the Canadian government had just passed a law requiring drug companies to add expiration dates to seemingly anything that can be ingested. This is why table salt has an expiry date; so does most bottled water.
"(Insert invisible person of choice) I hate stale water."
- Cam
This is the end of the thread.
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