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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by HelenInCalif on February 10, 2004, at 2:14:14
Long story short is that my ADD is interfering with my new job, and I haven't yet found a new psychiatrist to start a new prescription. I do have some leftover ritalin I'd packed away and forgotten (ADD does make for constant surprises while cleaning)- but it expired two years ago according to the bottle.
I remember the Wall Street Journal article from years ago on how most meds don't expire but just fade (The pentagon tested a bunch of meds to see where they could save money by not replacing right at the supposed expiration...) Any knowledge about if ritalin is in this category?
Posted by linkadge on February 10, 2004, at 8:55:28
In reply to Does ritalin go bad or just fade? Expired meds, posted by HelenInCalif on February 10, 2004, at 2:14:14
I'm willing to be it will still be good. It really depends on the chemical as well. Some chemicals probably fade faster than others.
Linkadge
Posted by dazed on February 10, 2004, at 12:07:39
In reply to Re: Does ritalin go bad or just fade? Expired meds, posted by linkadge on February 10, 2004, at 8:55:28
I don't know about Ritalin, but when we started my husband on an old antidepressent, the doctor scolded him and said that some drugs can cause cardiac problems when old, not just fades. That scared me enough that I won't take old meds anymore.
Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 10, 2004, at 14:56:26
In reply to Does ritalin go bad or just fade? Expired meds, posted by HelenInCalif on February 10, 2004, at 2:14:14
Depends upon the environment that they were stored in. If they were kept in a cool, dry place in an airtight container, they'd probably last at full strength for at LEAST 4 years, maybe 6. Even beyond this, a good portion of the active dose is still there. The best person to ask about this would be an experienced pharmacist; he/she would know about methylphenidate's chemical attributes, and by checking which binders/fillers/etc were used in making the pill, could probably give you an accurate estimate.
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