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How long do antibiotics last In a closed pill bottle (not sealed though)?

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Posted 5/25/2024 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
I’m just wondering this since I still have at least five of the common lyme infection antibiotics (Not just Doxy !) from around 2015-2016 (That’s when I got them from the pharmacy).

1)Do they go Dangerous bad?

2)Or do they stay safe but just not as effective or strong as they once were?

Two reasons for my questions:
A) To keep on hand if I get bit again
B) Thinking of taking antibiotics for one month and then retest my low IgG deficiency levels. I have a complete, Separate new post on this subject.

Post Edited (astroman) : 5/25/2024 1:37:30 PM (GMT-8)

Posted 5/25/2024 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
the US military has to keep huge stockpiles of around 150 medications in case it goes on an all out war footing

as part of a cost analysis a few years ago it performed extended potency testing to determine if it would be safe and effective to use medications past their use by date

my memory of the report is - that with only a very few exceptions ( which were all liquid suspensions or ointments ) all pills, including antibiotics, were basically unaffected by extended storage
they still had the same potency as when they were made
there were no toxic degradation products found

this was years past the original use by date.

hence , if they are still in their original packaging - eg sealed bottles or in blisterpacks - i would not worry
if they have been open to the air and moisture - i would probably not use them

i hope its of some help
Posted 5/25/2024 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
They are from retail pharmacies, dispensed into their bottles. So they were subject to air once they were dispensed into retail bottles 6-8 years ago and when I was using them, but I did not use all of them.

Obviously, Not original manufactured, sealed bottles.
————————
I could also go to the feed and farm store and get Doxy for animals, which I really don’t like to take. Or I could order online for humans.
Posted 5/25/2024 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
I was told by a pharmacist that expired antibiotics are sent to poor countries and that they last awhile after expiration date.
I was also told that after a really long time they just won’t work - but they’re not dangerous ie poisonous.. etc
Posted 5/25/2024 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Most of the time I see no problem in taking expired medication, but there are a few exceptions.

For example, expired/degraded tetracyclines have caused nephrotoxicity and fanconi syndrome (induced by proximal tubule damage).

I looked into this pretty deeply at one point because I had the same question, and found out that manufacturers have altered their method of production to prevent this. The problem is, we don't know if all manufacturers have done this and are not currently taking any shortcuts.

I also don't remember for what particular tetracycline they improved their production method,.. just to add to to confusion here. So I can't confirm which one is 'fine'.

So long story short, it depends on what you're comfortable with. If you have just got bitten by a tick, I would personally take the risk. But that's a personal risk that I'd be willing to take.
Posted 5/25/2024 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
All of the following comes from Bing's A.I. chatbot called Copilot:

The shelf life of antibiotics can vary depending on the specific product. Here are some general guidelines:

1. Capsules and Tablets: These typically expire between 2 and 3 years from the date of manufacture. Your pharmacist may dispense them from stock bottles with an expiration date of around one year, matching their stock bottle. Properly store these in a light- and moisture-resistant container at room temperature.

2. Suspension (Liquid Form): If you're prescribed amoxicillin in a liquid form, it's usually mixed with distilled water. Powdered forms of amoxicillin last around two to three years, but once mixed with water, they expire after 14 days. Store this type of amoxicillin in your refrigerator to maintain stability.

3. Safety After Expiration: While ongoing research suggests that medications, including antibiotics, can retain up to 90% of their potency for as long as 15 years after expiration, it's still not recommended to take expired antibiotics. Amoxicillin is a molecular compound that degrades over time, and there's no guaranteed consistency of proper storage after it leaves the manufacturer.

As for how long antibiotics stay in your system, they can vary from a few hours to a few days. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions and dispose of expired medications properly.

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 5/25/2024
(1) What Is the Shelf Life of Amoxicillin? - Healthline.
https://www.healthline.com/health/amoxicillin-shelf-life

(2) Can You Take Expired Antibiotics? Here’s When You Can!.
https://prescriptionhope.com/blog-can-you-take-expired-antibiotics

(3) How Long Do Antibiotics Stay in Your System? - WellTheory.
https://prescriptionhope.com/blog-can-you-take-expired-antibiotics

(4) How Long Do Antibiotics Stay in Your System? - Verywell Health.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-long-do-antibiotics-stay-in-your-system-7561099
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Post Edited (The Dude Abides) : 5/25/2024 1:57:17 PM (GMT-8)

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