How long are meds good after the exp. date?

[Tikkimon]

Sorry if this question has been asked before I searched for the answer with no luck. In a SHTF situation how long are medications safe to use after the expiration date?

[FISTER]

Depends on what type of med and how it was stored

[Tikkimon]

I know the type and condition it was stored would play a role in the life but I am asking about med's that could be gotten now OTC items such as cold/flu meds, items usually in first aid kits aspirin, antibiotic's, iodine, burn gels, etc. and perhaps med's from left over prescriptions such as penicillin and pain reducers. As for storage they would obviously be kept dry, out of the sun, and if electricity unavailable temp control would be difficult so what other factors need be considered?

[jdh]

If you have left over prescription antibiotics you ain't doing it right and are helping the nasty little buggers develop resistance.

Now that I said that, antibiotics cannot have preservatives added to them so they go bad pretty quick.

The best thing I can suggest to you would be to talk to your druggist (that would be an older name for the guy who runs the pharmacy) and ask him about the specific item you want to store and get good info not some guesses, rumors, and old wives tales.

[Tikkimon]

If you have left over prescription antibiotics you ain't doing it right and are helping the nasty little buggers develop resistance.

No that I said that, antibiotics cannot have preservatives added to them so they go bad pretty quick.

The best thing I can suggest to you would be to talk to your druggist (that would be an older name for the guy who runs the pharmacy) and ask him about the specific item you want to store and get good info not some guesses, rumors, and old wives tales.

Well if I have left over prescriptions from a change of prescription or a recommendation to discontinue use for a doctor I am doing it right,

With that said I could not imagine any druggiest (not my local dealer) recommending or advising any use after the expiration date or if a doctor suggested discontinuing if he/she were to do so would be risky and a possible grounds for a lawsuit if something bad happened from his advise.

[FISTER]

I think what JDH is trying to say that if bacteria encounter the antibiotic but do not get completely eraticated by the antibiotic they become resistant to that particular type. Simular to humans and vaccines

[firefox]

i saw your post. and did a quick search on the net and here's what i found.
http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=106&sid=658391
http://www.fda.gov/cder/emergency/water-refrig.htm
http://bipolar.about.com/od/medications/a/expir_when.htm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/59466.php

[firefox]

oops .i forgot to say when i did the search i got mixed results so it's up to you & your family to decide whats best. Tikkimon i hope the info helps. take care GOD BLESS

[jdh]

Well if I have left over prescriptions from a change of prescription or a recommendation to discontinue use for a doctor I am doing it right,

With that said I could not imagine any druggiest (not my local dealer) recommending or advising any use after the expiration date or if a doctor suggested discontinuing if he/she were to do so would be risky and a possible grounds for a lawsuit if something bad happened from his advise.

Unless you have a negative reaction to a prescription antibiotic the doctor is not going to tell you to DC it. For an antibiotic to work it has to build up and maintain a certain concentration in the body. If a bacteria is exposed to it and does not accumulate enough of the drug to die the bacteria can adapt and develop a defense to the toxic effects of the drug. Once it does this it can pass the defense mechanism on to others of its kind. Now you have a disease causing agent that is able to defeat a family of antibiotics.

If you talk to the druggist explaining your needs and tell him that you are trying to assemble a kit for emergency preparedness and you want to include OTC meds that will tolerate a period of storage, I bet he will he will help you to make some good choices.

[Gunfixr]

My understanding is that many drugs will last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years past their dates, depending on the storage conditions. While some may turn toxic, many, if not most, just lose their effectiveness.
I don't know about keeping anitbiotics, unless you have the full dose. After all, if you don't take the full dose then you won't fix the problem. So if you get halfway through and are told to change, then you're saving only half the dose, and if you use it, aren't likely to kill the bug and it will only come back stronger.

[Tikkimon]

Unless you have a negative reaction to a prescription antibiotic the doctor is not going to tell you to DC it. For an antibiotic to work it has to build up and maintain a certain concentration in the body. If a bacteria is exposed to it and does not accumulate enough of the drug to die the bacteria can adapt and develop a defense to the toxic effects of the drug. Once it does this it can pass the defense mechanism on to others of its kind. Now you have a disease causing agent that is able to defeat a family of antibiotics.

If you talk to the druggist explaining your needs and tell him that you are trying to assemble a kit for emergency preparedness and you want to include OTC meds that will tolerate a period of storage, I bet he will he will help you to make some good choices.

I was implying that in a hypothetical situation if I were to have a "full dose" and it had expired would it be safe to use and if so for how long. I understand what you are saying and you gave good info but it was not an answer to my question.

i saw your post. and did a quick search on the net and here's what i found.
http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=106&sid=658391
http://www.fda.gov/cder/emergency/water-refrig.htm
http://bipolar.about.com/od/medications/a/expir_when.htm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/59466.php

Thanks for the info, just what I was looking for.

My understanding is that many drugs will last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years past their dates, depending on the storage conditions. While some may turn toxic, many, if not most, just lose their effectiveness.
I don't know about keeping anitbiotics, unless you have the full dose. After all, if you don't take the full dose then you won't fix the problem. So if you get halfway through and are told to change, then you're saving only half the dose, and if you use it, aren't likely to kill the bug and it will only come back stronger.

Good info, thanks!

[jimmy_stikx]

Depends on a lot of things, epi pens are good as long as the fluid is clear with out particulate inside. NS bags last a good while as well, same principle. Haven't done much asking around about antibiotics. WOuld have to come across a pharm tech that wouldn't find it too odd.