Expired prescription medicine safe?

Question

I have severe allergies every year and they started again recently. I found some strong medicine (Singulair) my doctor prescribed for me - last year!

Is it safe to take drugs that are more than a year old? Are there any side effects? Or is ok to take expired medicine...?

Answer 1

When it comes to antihistimes..when they expire they begin to lose thier anti-histimine properties. They'll continue to work but how well they'll work is debatable.

Answer 2

I wouldn't think they'd already be expired.  Usually medication lasts a few years once you've purchased it, with the exception of refrigerated medicines.  I think you'd be safe to take it.

Answer 3

Yes.  and if he prescribed it last year it shouldn't be expired yet.

Singulair isn't really a "strong" drug. It doesn't work for me, I take benadrly now, it makes me alittle sleepy but works 99% better.

Answer 4

i think it should be ok the only thing that i could think of was if it was not as strong as it once was.

Answer 5

If it's passed the expiration date, then according to the drug studies performed before the drug was approved by the FDA, the efficacy and the safety of the drug is no longer guaranteed.  Hence, if you take it then you're essentially performing a toxicology and efficacy test on yourself, FOR FREE.  At least the volunteers of phase 1 trials get paid.