Is it safe to take expired allergy tablets?

Sammy2018

Hi all.

Would it be safe to take allergy tablets containing cetirizine hydrochloride that were expired on 2.2017?

I know their effectiveness would certainly be lowered compared to a 'within' date, but the main question is safety.

Thanks.

K80_Black

Ask a pharmacist. For the price of a new pack, I certainly wouldn't take the risk!

silvercar

Wouldn't bother me. If the tablet in intact, doesn't smell, hasn't changed colour and doesn't crumble when you handle it, I would consider it fine.

You make your own view.

silvercar

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/drug-expiration-dates-do-they-mean-anything

Owain_Moneysaver

Even if the drug itself is still effective, it might have lost sterility/safety, especially depending on how it's been stored.

This is why sticking-plasters have use-by dates - they don't lose stickiness, but the packaging isn't guaranteed to keep them sterile after a certain lengty of time.