Valtrex beyond X-piration?

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Tyler Danae - 20 Feb 2005 23:30 GMT

Last year I had problems with my eye, and one of the things my
oculist put me on was Valtrex (in the past, I've had inflammatory
infections in my eyes, where herpes was suspected).
It cleared up, and I still have an unopened bottle left.
The oculist said to save it and if I think something maybe starting
up, to take it for a few days.
Well, everything has been quiet, and I still have an unopened,
30 caplet bottle dated 03/22/04, "Discard after 03/23/05".
How strong is the expiration advisory?
If something starts up within--say--the next year, will they still
work?
I don't want to just throw them out: I know people are put on them
for preventative purposes--and the doctor DID say to use them if I
even *thought* something may be starting.
If the expiration is absolute, would it hurt to take one or two
caplets a day until they are used up (the original Rx was for
2 caps x 3/day x 10 days)?

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halo2 guy - 21 Feb 2005 02:40 GMT

no it wouldn't hurt.

> Last year I had problems with my eye, and one of the things my
> oculist put me on was Valtrex (in the past, I've had inflammatory
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> caplets a day until they are used up (the original Rx was for
> 2 caps x 3/day x 10 days)?

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Bob G. - 21 Feb 2005 17:16 GMT

>Last year I had problems with my eye, and one of the things my
>oculist put me on was Valtrex (in the past, I've had inflammatory
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>caplets a day until they are used up (the original Rx was for
>2 caps x 3/day x 10 days)?

====================================
in Maryland the expiration date that is required by law to be printed
on the Rx label is 365 days from the day the Rx was filled... unless
that date is past the original date on the stock bottle or container
that was dispensed...

That said... I am an old, semi retired Pharmacist, who lost all
respect for the expiration dates given by manufacturers while I was
still a young man and stationed in Vietman ... I handed out Morphine
to the medics that expired in the early 50's ...when I returned to
Walter Reed Army Hospital I processed at least 5-6 "twix's" every
single day that extended the Expiration dates on our stock...Darn
things listed Drug XYZ lot number 123xxx extend expiration date from
2-21-68 to 2-21-73 Got to the point that "we" juist tossed the
twixes into the trash every monring and took a break .

BTW...The US Army could not return outdated medicines so they just
extended the expiration dates after the drugs were tested
(I HOPE..WHO KNEW...Orders were Orders... and all that Military BS)

Bob Griffiths.

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Pumbaa - 21 Feb 2005 17:55 GMT

If the pharmaceutical manufacturers were required to provide dispensing size
stock bottles then this ongoing problem would be solved. I could just place
the store label on top of the original label. The original label would then
contain at the very least: The manufacturer's assigned expiration date, the
product lot number, the tablet ID #, and who made the product. Of course
the repacking companies would fight it and the drug companies would claim
that it would cost them too much money. The insurance companies would
complain if they had to pay for 30 capsules when the doctor only ordered
twenty-eight. Pharmacists who actually like to count pills would be unhappy.

<Snip>

> That said... I am an old, semi retired Pharmacist, who lost all
> respect for the expiration dates given by manufacturers while I was
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Bob Griffiths.

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Ron G - 24 Feb 2005 05:10 GMT

> BTW...The US Army could not return outdated medicines so they just
> extended the expiration dates after the drugs were tested
> Bob Griffiths.

Did they actually (test) the drugs before they extended the dates, or am I
reading this wrong?

Best---
Ron

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Tyler Danae - 23 Feb 2005 15:59 GMT

I wrote:

>> Last year I had problems with my eye, and one of the things my
>> oculist put me on was Valtrex (in the past, I've had inflammatory
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>> Well, everything has been quiet, and I still have an unopened,
>> 30 caplet bottle dated 03/22/04, "Discard after 03/23/05".

Whoops, actually it IS opened, though there are still 29 caplets
left! :(

>> How strong is the expiration advisory?
>> If something starts up within--say--the next year, will they still
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>> caplets a day until they are used up (the original Rx was for
>> 2 caps x 3/day x 10 days)?

Pumbaa replied:

> If the pharmaceutical manufacturers were required to provide
> dispensing size stock bottles then this ongoing problem would be
> solved. I could just place the store label on top of the original
> label. The original label would then contain at the very least: The
> manufacturer's assigned expiration date, the product lot number,
> the tablet ID #, and who made the product.

Okay, wait a minute. I just looked at the manuf. label and it has
"Aug 2006" under the lot number, so... I guess it should still be
good to at least August 2006! :)

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