I do not take expired medication. This does not mean I do not keep expired stock of the medication I am dependent on (not a pain medication) so I could work at titrating down from it if there was something like a sudden shortage because stopping cold Turkey can kill. I don’t believe in expiration dates. I wouldn’t use a narrow therapeutic index drug that was expired, or something that was imminently life preserving like vasopressors (even though still probably ok) or antiarrhythmics but you can bet your ass I’m taking that Zyrtec or ibuprofen that “expired” in 2020 lol. I mean if they are stored in bad conditions they can definitely expire. For example I’m sure you know but acid degrades quickly in direct sunlight. Obviously this gabapentin was in a great location for preservation but you gotta remember they have been untouched for literally a decade. I’d prefer to not have to go back to the doctor, just because it’s expensive and I’ve already been like 6 times in the last 3 weeks (I have insanely extreme health anxiety). The expiration date is faded off of the bottle. Obviously though, it’s very expired. Do you guys think it’d be ok to take it still? The vet gave me gabapentin last year to do this, I haven’t used it in a couple months. When I went to go grab the bottle earlier, it says it expired in September, 2023. Is it still okay to use, 5 ish months past the expiration? Frequently Asked Questions about gabapentin expiration: 1. Can I use gabapentin after the expiration date? While gabapentin may still be effective after its expiration date, it is best to consult a healthcare professional before using expired medication. 2. How should gabapentin be stored to prolong its shelf life? I've heard that gabapentin has a shelf life of five years after expiration. Most pharmacists have to put a earlier expiration date on them however. And even if gabapentin is expired they pose no risk. How does gabapentin work? Gabapentin works by reducing abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It is believed to bind to specific calcium channels, modulating their activity and decreasing the release of specific neurotransmitters involved in seizures and nerve pain. The vet gave me gabapentin last year to do this, I haven’t used it in a couple months. When I went to go grab the bottle earlier, it says it expired in September, 2023. Is it still okay to use, 5 ish months past the expiration? Would gabapentin be toxic if I still gave it or would it just be less effective? For reference. Species: cats Age: one is 3 and one 4 Sex: one male and one female Breed: American Short hair and Torby Body weight: 9lbs and 16 lbs History: female had a broken leg. Greetings, all! This is a sub for professional veterinary advice, and as such we follow strict rules for participating. OP, your post has NOT been removed. Please also check the FAQ to see whether your question is answered there. It has a shelf life of 5 years, and since the date on you med is different than the bottle that the pills were taking from—You drug should be good until 2019–. Is it still good to take? Zantac, which was pulled a couple of years ago for having a carcinogen was found to be more dangerous if it had expired and/or was stored in too hot of an environment. so we shouldn't be drugs are 100% as safe once they expire. try to do case by case research to confirm that there's no reason to believe they're less safe possible expired gabapentin to help my cat with pain until we can go to the vet in the morning? This morning my cat jumped off her chair and ran under the bed really fast like something had happened, when I went to look at her she was hissing but then stopped right away. she stayed under the bed all day. Gabapentin, like all prescription drugs, does expire. Generally, the expiration date of gabapentin after manufacture is usually 2 to 3 years. After dispensing by a pharmacy to the patient, the expiration date is generally set at 1 year (from the date of dispensing). Thanks. Yes, there is an "expire" date on the bottle but I don't know if it means that the prescription has expired or whether the medicine itself has passed its shelf life. Basically I wanted to know if the pills lose there effectiveness over time and what that approximate time-span is. Hello, I have some Gabapentin pills here that was prescribed in 2020 and expired in 2022, would I still be ok to take these or would I become ill? They have been in the drawer in the same box they came in. Giving expired gabapentin will most likely not be effective and the groomer may not be able to successfully work with your cat and may need to reschedule due to their behavior and stress level. If they have seen your cat within the year, they should be able to refill the gabapentin script without seeing your cat. I've heard that gabapentin has a shelf life of five years after expiration. Most pharmacists have to put a earlier expiration date on them however. And even if gabapentin is expired they pose no risk. Maybe they'll lose some of their effectiveness, but that's it. REPLY REPORT Does anyone have any rough guesses if it loses potency over time and what percentage it may lose? I found a study that says if stored under the right conditions it can last a year and I know many drugs last a lot longer than their stated shelf life.
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