Posted , 11 users are following.
It's just that I have some 5 mg tablets with an expiry date of July 2018, and am wondering if they will still be OK to take? It's my own fault as I haven't been careful about taking them in sequence.
0 likes, 7 replies
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TheRaven priscilla23271
Posted
Steroids do lose strength over time but, being only a few months past the "official" expiration date, I would expect the loss to be minimal.
Silver49 priscilla23271
Posted
I found myself in the same position because the surgery had given me 5s instead of 1s and I hadn't realised until I had taken them home from the pharmacy. By the time I got round to using them they were out of date and they definitely had lost strength. You may find they do not give the same response to the pain but may be worth a try though I wouldn't continue if you feel they are not working. I ended getting a new lot.
EileenH priscilla23271
Posted
Officially the powers that be will say it isn't OK - in fact for solid medications like pred, up to about 6 months is perfectly OK according to pharmacologists. They don't self-destruct overnight obviously but may deteriorate if the conditions they are being kept in are wrong as that makes a difference too. I can't imagine that barely 4 months will make much if any difference - I would try them.
priscilla23271 EileenH
Posted
Thanks Eileen, that's good to know. I've recently upped my dose as I have been having shoulder pain, but after I started another packet which turned out to be out of date the pain came back, so it did occur to me it might be due to those pills not being so strong. I've gone on to a more recent packet and I'll see if it makes a difference. I do like to have a stock in my cupboard in case there comes a point when I can't get them on prescription, so I've been sort of hoarding them, but with no regard to the dates. Better system needed!
EileenH priscilla23271
Posted
I actually had a problem with new tablets once - I'd been fine on enteric coated for ages and then got a load dispensed in a bottle rather than in blister packs so there was no expiry date. Within a few days of starting them I flared - but it was only with the 5mg pills, the new 2.5mg ones were fine but obviously I got through them rather fast! I came to the conclusion it was from a different manufacturer and the fillers in the pills were different. If you are noticing a difference then don't use them, they aren't that expensive anyway.
ptolemy priscilla23271
Posted
Steroids should last a few months after their sell by date provided you have kept them in a dark place away from sunlight. I have that problem occassionally.
Silver49 ptolemy
Posted
My tablets are in a covered box in a dark cupboard but, unfortunately, due to a mistake at the GP surgery they were well out of date. When I cut them to use as 2.5s they didn't have the desired effect on the pain. I had been so careful about not over ordering and used them in sequence so that they wouldn't be out of date. Ah well. the best laid plans.........