I work at a camp and there is benadryl that has been expired for over 6 months, what are the effects?
What are the effects of taking expired benadryl?
- Posted:
- 15 Jun 2011 by VesegdaPomnit
- Topics:
- benadryl, allergic reactions
Details:
Added 15 Jun 2011:
the oral solution expired in sept of 2010 and the melt tablets exp in feb 2011
Answers (2)
ElizaJane2316 Jun 2011
My pharmacist told me that as long as they were in a dry, cool place the worst that would happen is they would be weaker. If they have been in the damp or outside the packaging that would cause them to go bad quickly. As long as yours are still in the packaging they aren't all that old - you should be fine.
8 Jul 2011
Expiration dates are for lawyers. I have worked in surgery and have asked several physicians this question about drug efficacy, and they have all told me the same thing: If it's stored in a cool dry place expect the drug to maintain it's full potency up to one year for a pill and 6 months for a liquid/suspension. I was also told that you can use these meds 3-5 years past expiration date and all you may encounter is a little loss in efficacy, that's all, no harmful sife effects.
When I worked for a veterinarian when I was a kid I remember dispensing pills and I was told to print the expiration on the pill bottle as being one year from the date it was being prescribed - DESPITE what it said on the master bottle. This is what kind of gave me my first sense of "hmm there's something not adding up here... "
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This is a potentially dangerous plan to follow. True, in this case, you are correct: expired Benadryl may be less effective more than it would be harmful. However, not all drugs follow this rule. If you were to take expired tetracycline, for instance, you quite possibly could end up poisoning and therefore losing both of your kidneys (see "Fanconi's Syndrome).
Always, always, double check with your pharmacist before taking outdated medication.
(I should know, I am one :) )
Thankfully tetracycline is not an OTC drug and when any in that class of drug are prescribed there is a big nasty warning sticker on there saying to not keep or take the drug beyond the expiration date. One would think in this day and age that label would be slapped on everything from nasal saline to underwear. LOL - but yeah, all joking aside, I agree, if ever a doubt, ask your doctor.