Expired prescription drugs - safe or not at all?

[BillGates]

I have a few pills of Vicodin left from 2-3 years ago when I had my wisdom teeth out. Yesterday I destroyed my arm wakeboarding but think it is all muscular damage and is already improving. I have been taking Advil and that has been working fine. However, I'm wondering if it'd be safe to take one of the Vicodin pills.

Do they put expiration dates on these things to make people throw them away when they expire or so that people buy more after they expire, or is there an actual detectable chemical change that makes them less potent, more potent, or harmful?

Just looking for opinions, still haven't taken anything, and I know this isn't the place for reliable medical advice.

 

[Mill]

Safe yes. Still as potent? No.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: Millennium
Safe yes. Still as potent? No.

Yes. They lose their potency over time. At the expiration date they are possibly less than 85% effective.

 

[BillGates]

By the way, here is a good article I found on the subject.

 

[fs5]

85% effective? that means take twice the amount to make up for it!

 

[BillGates]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
85% effective? that means take twice the amount to make up for it!

haha, 2 vicodin taken together would make me plenty loopy.

 

[amnesiac]

No, don't take them. You will die.

Send them to me and I will make sure they are disposed of properly. I'll PM you my address.

 

[chiwawa626]

I was born in africa, and i got sick when i was young. They gave me expired medicine and it saved my life