what is the 'shelf life' of vicodin 500mg tablets? i've been having a lot of back pain lately and i looked through my medicine cabinet and came across an old prescription of mine from february of 2007. i've been researching if these are still good to take and i came across a study on prescription saying that manufacturers are forced to put an expiration date of exactly a year from the filling of the prescription, however they are good to take for longer after the expiration. so i'm wondering if it really is okay for me to take these or if i should just pitch them..
Responses (3)
RRRoy29 Dec 2011
It is shocking how many people will respond to these sorts of things without knowing anything about them. The one-year expiration date on prescription drugs is mandated in the US, without any regard to the drug's actual efficacy, and is for the most part utterly meaningless. In the case of opiates, hydrocodone (vicodin) included, they remain effective and safe for many, many years. I once took (and perhaps this was ill-advised) codeine I got from my grandmother that was (I kid you not) over 40 years old, for a tow I'd broken. It worked as well as any, and caused no ill effects.
Of course, this example is extreme, and I am not endorsing doing anything of this sort. But 3-year old hydrocodone will be 100% safe and effective, for many years to come.
aquanaut5 Dec 2012
This article about drug expiration dates may also be of use to you:
http://www.drugs.com/article/drug-expiration-dates.html
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