Expert: Eric Brandt - 5/17/2007

Question
Hi, My wife was given Amoxicillin 250 few days ago to treat the UTI, she had been taking it 3 times a day since last Thursday (10-May-2007) (17 capsules). We suddenly noticed on (16-May-2007)  that the medicine has expired in September 2006. We were greatly worried as she is 18weeks pregnant so we rushed to the Hospital and the GPs did BP checks and temperature etc and said the UTI has not gone away as the medicine won't be as effective as it has gone past its expiry date and won't cause any adverse effects on the Unborn. Is this true ? Can we beleive this ?  should we get something done now i.e, scan etc ? any answers is greatly appreciated. And they have now given Amoxicillin 500 within the expiry date (obviously).  

Answer
Hi Mathu,
Amoxicillin does not deteriorrate to toxic products. Expired Amoxicillin is not as effective as an in date product so the infection is less likely to clear. There will be no harm to the baby and you do not rquire a scan. Get a new prescription with in date antibiotic to clear the infection.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. Pharm