AboutMichael Anisfeld Expertise Disclaimer:
SORRY BUT I DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS RELATED TO: DRUG ACTIONS/INTERACTIONS, INTERNET DRUG PURCHASES, RESULTS OF DRUG TESTS, IDENTIFYING DRUGS (FOR WHICH YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST IS THE BEST PERSON TO CONSULT).
My expertise is answering questions relating to pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality technologies, drug regulations and specifically GMP requirements
Experience
Past/Present Clients UN agencies (UNFPA, UNICEF, UNIDO)
Governments (Australia, Canada, India, United Kingdon, United States
Companies - over 200 companies in 37 countries
Question I hope you can answer this - I woke up with a blazing case of Urinary Tract Infection. Of course this has to happen on a holiday! SO I go through my medicine cabinet as I know I have 1/2 prescription left from the last time I had this (I know I know I am supposed to finish out this whole dose) So all I can find is an old bunch of macrobid from 2003. So I am desperate, and I take 2. Now I found my new batch (a month old or so). So my question - - is the 2003 doing anything? If so, I obviously should not take the 2007 pill until tomorrow, if not I want to take the pill now! (I have also taken 2 IB to help curb the discomfort) I am not a pill person (although I do sound like one). SO my question - can/should I take the 2007 pill now? Thanks for your help! BTW - both pills are 100 MG
Answer When drugs go beyond their expiration date two things happen:
a. the active drug degrades, so there is less of it available to do good things and cure you;
b. the degradation by-products can themselves have harmful effects.
Immediately stop taking your 2003 material, and continue with your 2007 material. Oh, and next time finish the entire dose prescribed.