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've been on prednisone off and on for years as treatment for Crohn's disease. I currently have about 50 tablets left from an RX from 2005. I need to resume taking it and wondered if they would still be effective. I have typically started off by taking 15 mg every other day, then over a period of many many weeks, tapering it off. It's not that I'm cheap, I know it isn't a really expensive drug. But I no longer have medical insurance and to further complicate things, had to change doctors b/c mine retired. The new one will not write a new RX until I have a colonoscopy. I explained about the insurance and needing to work out a payment plan with the hospital but--he still won't do it, liability I suppose. It's been stored in the original container, in a dark closet. Thanks so much for any information you can provide.
Kathy
Answer Kathy:
Your pharmacist has a record of the batch number of the prescription that was filled in 2005; and from these records he will know the tablet's expiration date.
If the pharmacist has no records, be aware that most drugs have a 2 year shelf life from their date of manufacture. Most pharmacies receive drugs that are already about 3-6 months into their shelf life, so yours could already have expired!
While a tightly closed container kept in the dark helps, in future store drugs in your refrigerator to maximize shelf life - perhaps even extend it for about a year (depending on the drug).
