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About Nigel Simmons
Expertise
I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience
Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients
Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Pharmacology > Pharmacy > Risk taking sxpired percodan
Expert: Nigel Simmons
Date: 3/12/2008
Subject: Risk taking sxpired percodan
Question
In the middle of the night last night I had terrible back pain, for which I usually take Vicodin. However, I had not yet refilled my prescription this month. I rummaged throught the medicine cupboard and came upon some very old percodan - about ten years old. I remember a year or two ago under similar circumstances I took one or two and it gave me some relief, moreso than otc analgesics, without any negative effects. So I took two. Ever since then I've been feeling dizzy and nauseous. This is not uncommon for me because I have both hypertension and GIRDS, which occasionally result in those effects. But this time they seems to be hanging on a lot longer. Was taking the percodan a serious error in judgement that might cause side effects for me that it never did not when I used it within its proper dates?
Answer
Joe
While medicines are manufactured with a degree of safety margin built into the expiry date, it certainly would not be as long as 10 years. Therefore the unusal effects may be due to the age of the tablets and any breakdown of the ingredients that may have occurred.
I don't have access to the company information which would show how the tablets break down over time or when exposed to heat and moisture (almost certain to have occurred in the 10+ years). However, if the Percodan contains aspirin, this would break down to salicylic acid which is far more irritating than simple aspirin.
If the symptoms are improving then I suspect any harm has been minimal and you need not worry. Indeed part of the symptoms may simply be due to your own fears about use of such an old product.
My advice is obviously to discard the old tablets (and any similar that you may have) and ensure you have a regular supply of current medicines. In general, I also have concerns with the over-use of opiate like pain killers such as oxycodone or hydrocodone. These drugs can lead to a form of addiction / dependence and in very many cases are excessive treatments for conditions which can often be better managed with acetaminophen (paracetamol) and a simple non-steroidal analgesic such as ibuprofen. For back pain, a muscle relaxant or antispasmodic may help, but physiotherapy and posture will probably be as successful. You may therefore be advised to discuss your problems with your doctor and get the pain medications and treatment plan reviewed.
I hope this helps.
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