Expired Hydroxyzine
UpdatedConsidering the potential degradation of active ingredients over time, how might the efficacy and safety profile of Hydroxyzine be altered when it is used beyond its expiration date?
Also, someone mentioned to me that it is not used for itching, however that's precisely why it was prescribed to me in the first place.
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I'm sorry, I'm not sure who said that, but according to the information provided by the FDA, Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine, so it is used to treat allergic reactions, including itching.
Concerning its shelf-life, the efficacy and safety of Hydroxyzine, like many pharmaceuticals, can be impacted when used beyond its expiration date. Expired medications may undergo chemical degradation, potentially leading to a decrease in their effectiveness. For Hydroxyzine, this could mean a reduced therapeutic effect in alleviating symptoms of anxiety or itching associated with certain skin conditions.
On the contrary, according to Harvard University, “most of what is known about drug expiration dates comes from a study conducted by the Food and Drug Administration at the request of the military. With a large and expensive stockpile of drugs, the military faced tossing out and replacing its drugs every few years. What they found from their study is that 90% of more than 100 drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, were perfectly good to use even 15 years after the expiration date. So, the expiration date doesn't really indicate a point at which the medication is no longer effective or has become unsafe to use. It's true the effectiveness of a drug may decrease over time, but much of the original potency still remains even a decade after the expiration date.”
Ref: health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/drug-expiration-dates-do-they-mean-anything
Based on this information, you could draw your own conclusions depending upon how the product was stored, however if you wish to play it safe, it's always advisable to adhere to expiration dates and consult healthcare professionals for replacements as needed.
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