Drug Expirations

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I would like to know if Hydroco/apap 10-500mg tablets are still good after a year and for how long they are good.

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1

Medications have an expiration (usually of 1 year) because by law it must have one. If you had these hydrocodone/apap pills in a dark, cool place such as a kitchen cabinet, bedroom drawer, etc. chances are still fine. Most pills are actually good for two years from the fill date as long as they are cared for properly. If you had them in the medicine chest in the bathroom, (a bad place for medication) then they may have lost some or all of their potency. When a medication like this one becomes older, it is not really dangerous to take it, rather it might have lost some of it narcotic and/or acetaminophen properties. DO NOT USE THIS RULE FOR EVERY MEDICATION ESPECIALLY FOR THINGS LIKE ANTIBIOTICS, ETC. ANTIBIOTICS SHOULD BE DISPOSED OF AFTER THEIR EXPERIATION DATE, SO SHOULD BRTH CONTROL PILLS AND MANY OTHERS. I am only speaking to the hydrocodone/apap drug for now. If they are less than two years old then I would say go ahead and use them. Your body will tell you if they have lost some or all of their potency, because y ou wont feel any better. Always store medications like that in a cool dark place, or even in the refrigerator, it will not hurt them and will keep them fresh!

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2

This medication doesn't become dangerous, once expired, but it may have lost some efficacy. You can learn more about drug expiration dates here.

How effective they are, after the expiration depends on several factors, including what type of container they are in, how they've been stored, and etc.

The FDA warns that Hydrocodone with Acetaminophen carries the risk of being habit forming, and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, and constipation.

Ref: Hydrocodone with Acetaminophen Information

Is there anything I can help with?

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