I always thought that if you froze any pills from an RX you got that you could make them last longer than the expire date. I've done this for YEARS. I'm just reading the fine print on a recent med & it states Do Not Freeze. Why? Does anybody know what exactly will happen (chemically speaking) to a pill or capsule if it is frozen? Does it make it less effective, or actually *dangerous*?
What happens if I freeze my prescriptions to make them last longer?
Question posted by amyr_74 on 15 April 2015
Last updated on 21 April 2023 by Overlymedicated
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5 Answers
You ask why would you need to keep a med after a year. For some it's because of money and when drs are trying to get the correct medicine for your condition and they have to go by trial and error. I've been on meds and the dr wants to try something new and if it's not working as well as your previous medicine then they will put you back on your old medicine. For others it may just be the Era they were born in and they feel it's wasteful. My mother is one of them and I eventually sneak the older meds out and she doesn't seem to notice. She grew up dirt poor and a biscuit and and onion had been their only meal. I'm sure there are other reasons that may seem silly and dangerous to us but you can't change a mindset easily.
I recently misplaced some medication that found its way into a freezer! I didn’t want to risk it, but I’ve been taking anxiety meds for years now. They’ve been through a wash, swimming, camping, and even snowboarding. No issues yet! But one time I did get really drowsy from it, could have been just the side effects.
Been freezing my pain, inflammation, anxiety, vitamins for years. Works great. Pharmaceutical companies may not approve or anyone like doctors or pharmacist hitting their fat pocket books. Told to keep in room temperature, okay while in Florida my room can be 100 and in Canada room could be 20 below etc etc etc. What a bunch of crooks. Solid pill form stays fresh and good in freezer. Is elementary. Common sense.
I would not freeze medication.
Why? The question begs more than a simple yes or no answer. I've been freezing meds (and supplements) for 15 years ! As doctors change scripts by increasing or decreasing dosing I save the unexpired scripts in zipper-freezer bags for storage in - the freezer. I was under the impression that like food even if expired over a period of time, at least if frozen in the deep freezer they'd be back up if I ran out of meds. Some meds cannot be stopped abruptly so I believed that *not* having a seizure or heart attack would be better than waiting till I found a new prescriber or my doctor returned from an extended illness out of the office. Now I'm really in a panic because the *other* thing I've done for decades (because I forget things, like taking my meds) is prepare my scripts and supplements in 7 day weekly pill organizers which cover a 4 week period. I organize vitamins in 1 color coded weekly organizer and scripts in a clear weekly organizers.
Why not freeze meds? Is there any proof it will break down the molecular structure?
Freezing can change the molecular structure of the medication. That will make it less effective and possibly damaging. Why would you need to keep a med more then the year it has?
Related topics
prescription, medication, expiration, tablet, pill, expiry date, drug, capsule, expiration date
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