Help Expired(?) Meto - Can I still use them?

[http-410]

I have 8x10mg meto, however the expiration date is cut off of the blister pack.

In a patient leaflet I've found online they say the shelf life is of up to 5 years.

I guess it was prescribed in 2013, but I don't know for sure. They have since been banned here, so can't get a new prescription.

Can I still use them?

 

[Kruger]

Most meds are ok for 2 months after expiry according to my doctor, but since you don't actually know the expiry date, I think you are playing with fire.

 

[Nexuno]

I guess it was prescribed in 2013

Very likely the active principle is no longer effective. Way too risky, IMO.

 

[http-410]

That's unfortunate.

 

[Aap]

They are absolutely fine. Ignore the nonsense about 2 months. If anything they are slightly less potent than when they started. To say anything else fundamentally misunderstands drug development, expiration dates, and the fact that very few drugs have a truly short shelf life.

There will still be meto in the pills 10 years from now.

 

[Nymph]

Meds last many years even if it's past the expiration date. You'll probably just need to take more because the active ingredient gets less potent over time

 

[Deleted member 94]

I have 8x10mg meto, however the expiration date is cut off of the blister pack.

In a patient leaflet I've found online they say the shelf life is of up to 5 years.

I guess it was prescribed in 2013, but I don't know for sure. They have since been banned here, so can't get a new prescription.

Can I still use them?

Read the US government study which was carried out on meds past expiration date it found most medications even decades later were still potent. The pharmaceutical put expiry date just to be careful and cover themselves as extra precaution against anything going wrong.

 

[justsad&done]

There is no harm in using them. aka - you won't get sick. The expiration date is a necessity. However it is mostly there so that people buy more. Drugs like that may be slightly less potent - but will still have some desired effect.

 

[Nexuno]

The problem is not the "harm"; an expired med is not harmful. The problem is if it works or not. I wouldn't leave anything to chance, honestly.

 

[Aap]

A 7 year old sealed pill such as meto works fine. Stop spouting nonsense.

 

[Nexuno]

A 7 year old sealed pill such as meto works fine. Stop spouting nonsense.

No way. A 7 year old pill is less than a candy. Stop you to spouting false and dangerous information just to show you know something.

 

[Aap]

Drug expiry debate: the myth and the reality

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"What they found from the study is 90% of more than 100 drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, were perfectly good to use even 15 years after the expiration date."

I will graciously accept your apology.

 

[Nexuno]

*facepalm*

 

[aeon]

It should be fine if stored correctly and kept in the original package.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/07/18/537257884/that-drug-expiration-date-may-be-more-myth-than-fact?t=1608979404850
https://www.drugs.com/article/drug-expiration-dates.html
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1377417

 

[Mimikyu]

From personal experience, as long as the Meto is well stored (cool, dark condition), it should last indefinitely. Medications are just chemicals, and most of them are very stable and can last decades or longer. If it's improperly stored, the chemical bonds of the chemical/medication will break down slowly over time, causing it to loose potency; however, it usually won't produce any harmful effects, you just won't feel a thing.

 

[http-410]

Thanks for your replies.

Honestly, I'm a little at a loss now. Yes, the old Meto are still sealed in their blisters and were stored in a box. I would feel safer with new Meto though. Also, how am I supposed to know how much to take if the tablets are less potent?

Still, obtaining SN was scary enough, I have no idea if I can do that again (with Meto), especially since I'd actually be committing a crime this time since they are banned or in rare cases prescription only afaik. I have no idea if there are penalties for that. It's so tiring... ugh.

Is there any way to test the old pills?

 

[Aap]

No there isn't any realistic way to quantitatively test it. Drugs degrade exceptionally slowly (see the medical article I linked. No change in dosage is needed.

The only thing you need for SN to work is SN. Many or most people will vomit with or without meto.