What's wrong beside taking expired drug?

For the past week I have been taking expired allergy medication like Alavert(which is an over the counter drug used to make allergy symptoms less surrounded by pollen season) for a week now and didn't notice. It expired since 02/08. Yet when I was taking it it still worked pretty resourcefully for me and made my allergy symptoms go away. My nose and eyes wasn't itchy. It didn't sneeze alot etc.

My question is What is the worst entity that can happen to someone taking expired medice like allergy meds? Should I continue?
Answers:
It depends on the specific medication. Some medication degrade to more toxic chemicals and can cause harm, but more frequently the medication loses potency and does not provide the full effect. One example of a drug that degrade to a toxic chemical is plain acetylsalicylic Acid (aspirin). Over time it oxidizes to acetic acid. This is not toxic in smaller concentrations (vinegar) but in a pure state, can be corrosive. Old aspirins will grow whisker approaching filaments of crystalized acetic acid, which are dangerous.

The FDA places a mandatory expiration dating of no more than five years on adjectives medications, with the stipulation that a medication is considered usable and "in Date" so long as it retains up to 90% of its stated potency. The actual expiration date placed on any medication is consequently the lesser of it's actual expiration to 90% or below, or five years. This date comes from an assumption the drug is stored as stated on the label.

The actual shelf life of any medication relies within some part on how you store the medication. If you leave the medicine contained by your car in the summer, the high warmth levels will cause most medications to debase faster, losing potency and 'expiring' faster.

Great Question. You are probably OK, but ask the pharmacist where you purchase medications for more information, and replace the expired drug with indate products as soon as you are competent. Source(s): I am a Pharmacist

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