Medication shelf life?

shifty_uk · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:34

I got medication given to me a few months ago for my severely awful post nasal drip. The process of putting this medication in was to lie with my head tilted back for 10 whole minutes, this caused me to feel incredibly light headed and sick so I gave up.

Now, I came across this bottle in my drawer and I'm at the desperate stage as I've tried every other form of medication prescribed and the next option is operations, so I thought I'd give it another go.

Trouble is, the box says 'discard after 28 days of opening'. I didn't think medication went 'off' but I don't want to risk it if that's the case? Should I just request or purchase another bottle from the pharmacy(I would imagine its prescription only from the docs which would mean yet another trip).

Cheers GD!

Biohazard · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:36

What's a post nasal drip then?

And yes, medicine goes off. Or loses it's effectiveness and or gains side effects maybe even. I have no real idea however, I'm not a doctor or pharmacist.

[FnG]magnolia · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:39

This came up a few months ago. The consensus was that you'll probably be fine in that it won't do you any harm but may not be as effective. The flipside is that it might kill you so, you know, you might want to have a think about risk avoidance and that kind of thing.

Incase I'm being unclear, get a new prescription

Castiel · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:39

Biohazard said:
What's a post nasal drip then?

When mucus builds up in the Back of your nasal passage or throat. You cough all the time.

Biohazard · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:41

Castiel said:
When mucus builds up in the Back of your nasal passage or throat. You cough all the time.

Ahhh, think a guy at work has that through drinking. Don't sound too pleasant in the mornings mind.

antijoke · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:42

I have some morphine in my first aid kit from 2008, might have some for a laugh and post a video.

Biohazard · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:44

[FnG]magnolia;20283330 said:
you know, you might want to have a think about risk avoidance and that kind of thing.

Settled on sticking it in the eyes then. Sorted.

Castiel · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:45

Biohazard said:
Ahhh, think a guy at work has that through drinking. Don't sound too pleasant in the mornings mind.

You can get it from all sorts of ailments, commonly the flu, swine and bird flu's are infamous for it. Mostly it clears up after a few months, but sometimes it is chronic.

Biohazard · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:45

anticonscience said:
I have some morphine in my first aid kit from 2008, might have some for a laugh and post a video.

Morphine in a first aid kit?

Take it that it was prescribed?

shifty_uk · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:46

Ah right! Thought I'd ask as I'll have a hard time getting to the docs this week for another one, I imagine it wouldn't be a simple telephone request - Awful, arrogant surgery receptionists!

I have a constant stream of mucus running down the back of my throat, it chokes and makes me sick throughout the day. Makes trying to train and put on weight fairly difficult

I rarely drink and it doesn't cause me to cough. I've literally tried everything and this was the last resort medication before whatever next, hospital wise. I'm currently on two other forms of medication, one of which I should've stopped taking a long while ago!

antijoke · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:47

Biohazard said:
Morphine in a first aid kit?

Take it that it was prescribed?

Yes, I was given it when I had my appendix removed.

I didn't know whether to throw it out in the rubbish or not, so just kept it.

Biohazard · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:49

anticonscience said:
Yes, I was given it when I had my appendix removed.

I didn't know whether to throw it out in the rubbish or not, so just kept it.

I think that's now classed as a class A drug if I remember correctly.

You only have a licence to hold it within the period of your treatment.

You should destroy it incase you get the "knock".

jp_bl_68 · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:51

I'd buy a new one. Better safe than suffering from a sinus infection.

Btw, shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc. "go-off", too.

antijoke · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:52

I just checked and I have 30 Ml of it.

Brian8bit · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:52

Biohazard said:
You should destroy it incase you get the "knock".

And by destroy it he means consume it.

Biohazard · 12 Oct 2011 at 00:37

anticonscience said:
I just checked and I have 30 Ml of it.

Tsk tsk.

Handing yourself in at the nearest police station would be advisable.

Biohazard · 12 Oct 2011 at 00:41

shifty_uk said:
Ah right! Thought I'd ask as I'll have a hard time getting to the docs this week for another one, I imagine it wouldn't be a simple telephone request - Awful, arrogant surgery receptionists!

I have a constant stream of mucus running down the back of my throat, it chokes and makes me sick throughout the day. Makes trying to train and put on weight fairly difficult

I rarely drink and it doesn't cause me to cough. I've literally tried everything and this was the last resort medication before whatever next, hospital wise. I'm currently on two other forms of medication, one of which I should've stopped taking a long while ago!

I would advise you stop taking the medication you shouldn't be taking. Don't take out of date stuff either.

You are asking for a potential torrent of mucus...

James J · 12 Oct 2011 at 02:08

The 28 day thing is on eye drops and nasal sprays ect due to the risk of infection. Say for example you get and eye infection, get chloramphenicol for it and it clears within five days, then three months later you get another eye infection and use the same bottle again, you could be subjecting yourself to what you had before also lol. Not to mention all sorts of dust and microbes get into the bottles regardless of your aseptic technique upon administration!

Get a new script and have a chat with a pharmacist also for general drug counselling.

Biohazard · 12 Oct 2011 at 02:58

James J said:
Get a new script and have a chat with a pharmacist also for general drug counselling.

Energize · 12 Oct 2011 at 07:44

Most medications last for decades beyond the expiry date, morphine vials from the world war are still viable today. There are a few exceptions like hormones though for various reasons.