Do medication dates ever really expire??

I feel better about my expired cough drops in my desk now!

I agree. Different then food. Am using some Motrin now that expired in 2009. Still work...

I wonder how this applies to vitamins?  I have no problem taking expired tylenol and aspirin, but I wonder about some vitamins.

I had asked my doctor about this years ago.  He'd told me they begin to loose strength shortly after the "date", but were still good.  I have some pills from years ago that still work.

Dagny, I think the information could be right for the more straight forward meds, but I'd be concerned that the good well beyond expiration date might not hold true for some of the more complex medications being produced via complex chemical synthesis or biochemical engineering.  I know old Chloraseptic spray doesn't cause the same numbness as a fresh bottle does for me.  Bill

Dagny, Makes sense.  Liquid breaks down with light exposure, temperature swings, etc. :)

Dagny you mean I did not have to get rid of all those pills? So next time my husband tells me to throw things out I will reference your post :)

Have a great weekend.

Dagny, that makes me feel better about a bottle I found in the bottom of my desk drawer. Now if I can only remember what it was for

Dagny, I came over from Ginny's endorsement post on you. She really sang your praises. This post on medications is good information that needs to get out so I am going to re-blog it. I am glad that I got to meet you.

Dagny, I've suspected that for a long time that the expiration date really only benefits the manufacturers and drug stores.

Thank you for sharing your post with all of us. Good information, as you said, it is just about our lives. A little more important than real estate.

Dagny - That's good to know.  Thank you for sharing with us.

I am notorious for taking pills long past their expiration.  For something life threatening, I would never take the chance, however for a painkiller or common antibiotic, I have no problem with it.