Expired Hydrocodone

I have a very bad toothache/s..... two teeth right next to each other. They are both going to probably either be removed or I'm going to have to have a root canal.

I'm seeing the doc on monday. I was prescribed tylenol with codeine but it is not touching the pain at all. Plus it makes me nauseous.

The last time I was in this situation Vicodin was the only thing that would work. I still have my generic vicodins (7.5/500) but they have expired about two years ago......

I know expired meds lose their potency.....but are they dangerous? Like if I take one or two will I die? Or have to be rushed to the hospital?

There is no way I'm going to be able to see the doc today to try and get a new prescription since I'll be going to work soon and will be working to around midnight. Taking the day off is not an option since I very badly need the money. (past due bills *SIGH*)

So it either comes down to taking the expired meds and hoping they won't kill me.

or....

Toughing it out.......and trying not to kill anyone who happens to be unlucky enough to cross my path.

or.... ripping out my own teeth

(j/k with the last one)

I don't think there's any danger in taking them. If you've stored them in a cool, dry, dark place they probably even still have most of their potentency.

edit:

Just make sure you don't take too much acetaminophen between the #3 and the Vicodins...that's more dangerous than the narcotics.

[edit on 11/5/2005 by djohnsto77]

Yeah they've definitely been in a cool, dark place.......

I'm leaning towards talking them. I think you might be right djohnsto77.
I'll just wait for a couple of more replies to be sure.

When I tried searching the net for "expired meds" all I could find are sites selling expired medication w/ no info about the side effects.

No problem at all. The expiration date the pharmacy gives you is really THEIR expiration date to get rid of the medicine at the pharmacy.
Their shelf life is one or two years beyond that, if kept in a cool dry place.

If you don't want them, you can always send them to me and I'll, uhmm, dispose of them for you

SHAME ON YOU!!! tsk tsk lmao
Recreational "disposal" of prescirption meds could lead to trouble..... like a higher tolereance. Then they won't work as well in an emergency. Look at my willpower to hold on to mine for 2 years.

[edit on 5-11-2005 by _NsayN_]


I've decided I trust my fellow ATS'ers so I took one and I'm feeling much better already.

Thanks very much to those who've replied. Now it's off to work and thankfully I should be pain free in another couple of minutes.

[edit on 5-11-2005 by _NsayN_]

So, are you saying you are going to take them yourself?

No sharing?

Feel better.

reply to post by djohnsto77

---

my hydrocodone is 5-325 and expired on 2005what can you tell me about that, plus how potent is this kind?

first, i would take em...

as to you, i can tell you that yours are 5 millis of hydrocodone and 325 millis of acetomenophin....

i have 120 7.5/500's...

yean baby...

they really don't do anything to me now though....i can eat em like candy

Yes I believe they would be fine to take. I have taken out of date hydro and it worked just dandy.

Hope you get the problem taken care of soon. A toothache is extremely painful. It really can muck up your world.

Isn't that how Tupac died?