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Can One Still Use Medicine After Its Expiration Date?

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Posted on Fri, 13 Nov 2015
Question: How long is medication good to use?
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Answered by Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is better not to use it

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query in healthcaremagic.com
This is Dr. Swarnava dattagupta answering your query.

I understand your concern.
Every drug has its own expiry date. Keflex contains cephalexin which is an antibiotic. In cases of antibiotics, expiry dates are more important as they tend to lose efficacy after certain time. The shelf life of cephalexin is 2-3 years depending on manufacturers. Your medicine is 2 years old as per your history.
So my suggestion will be to look for the expiry date in the bottle. If it has already expired, dont take the medicine. Take lots of water. If the symptoms are much and you dont have options of seeing a doctor or even going to the ER, you might consider taking it provided it is within the expiry date; but my advice will be to visit a doctor or ER for a prescription.

Hope i have answered your question.
If you have any further questions i will be happy to help.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2013

Answered : 906 Questions

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Can One Still Use Medicine After Its Expiration Date?

Brief Answer: It is better not to use it Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for posting your query in healthcaremagic.com This is Dr. Swarnava dattagupta answering your query. I understand your concern. Every drug has its own expiry date. Keflex contains cephalexin which is an antibiotic. In cases of antibiotics, expiry dates are more important as they tend to lose efficacy after certain time. The shelf life of cephalexin is 2-3 years depending on manufacturers. Your medicine is 2 years old as per your history. So my suggestion will be to look for the expiry date in the bottle. If it has already expired, dont take the medicine. Take lots of water. If the symptoms are much and you dont have options of seeing a doctor or even going to the ER, you might consider taking it provided it is within the expiry date; but my advice will be to visit a doctor or ER for a prescription. Hope i have answered your question. If you have any further questions i will be happy to help. Regards.