Lexapro Expiration

[Hazle Weatherfield]

I need to start taking Lexapro again. I have quite a number of 10 mg pills left from when I quit taking them. They were dispensed 11/21/07. Are they still effective? Obviously, I need to see my Dr. again, but I would really like to start taking them again tomorrow. Would they be ineffective/useless or might they still be good?

[Hazle Weatherfield]

This is probably too specific a medical question, isn't it?

[StarvingButStrong]

I used to work for a psychiatrist, and he said that drug samples were perfectly fine to give out for up to one year past the labeled expiration date, and probably still safe & effective much longer, but he didn't want to push it past that.

OTOH, you have no way to know what the expiration date was on those pills. A pharmacy wouldn't sell you pills that were past the expiration date, but they're assuming you will consume the pills in a month or so, so it could *possibly* be that those pills were dated for, say, January 08. So you could be close to a year over on them.

OT3H, what kind of storage conditions have you kept the bottle? Cooler is better than hotter.

My suggestion: call your prescriber. S/he might be willing to write you a one month script so you can start taking the pills while waiting for an appointment.

[Hazle Weatherfield]

I talked to a pharmacist and she said that they probably would not be very effective and not to take them. Anyway, I've left a message for my doctor and she will likely phone in a prescription without having me come into the office.

The meds have been stored in the dark in their original container and were originally dispensed 11/21/07.

Is it even worth trying? A little placebo effect could go a long way!

[The Second Stone]

My MD has told me that virtually any sealed medication except nitroglycerin pills do not really age at all. But I would strongly caution you to talk to your own doctor and not act on any advice over a message board.

[foolsguinea]

Not just nitro. Tetracycline goes toxic, IIRC.

But I don't know if they've done any studies on degradation of SSRI's.

[Really Not All That Bright]

Chances are they're still good. (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/59466.php)

IANAD, take expired medication at your own risk, this post does not reflect the views of the Chicago Reader or anyone worth suing, etc.

[Colibri]

But I would strongly caution you to talk to your own doctor and not act on any advice over a message board.

Me too. I'm going to close this.

Colibri
General Questions Moderator