Plurabelle Says:
How Long Does Neurontin/gabapentin Stay Good If They Are In A Medicine Bottle Sealed?
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Lee Flocka James Says:
I found a bottle of my gabapentin 600's in a bottle in the closet and I don't want to just pitch them if they're usable because I don't have insurance and they're expensive. What do you think?
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Re: HaLeY0224 (# 10) 
Medication expiration dates that are 1 year from being filled are generally a product of laziness and a desire to stop people from holding onto old meds.
How do I know? Expired meds get donated to charities for use in other countries. If they were truly bad, this wouldn't be happening, even though it's pretty sad: "Environment focus letter: Don't discard expired drugs; donate them"
As mentioned, some antibiotics can go "bad" and liquids are not as shelf-stable as pills, but the most that will happen to most old pills is that they become less effective, so you may need to play with your dose. This can be tricky especially with a drug like Neurontin/Gabapentin which can make you sleepy or dizzy.
If you're using it for anxiety, which the doses above suggest, you should be fine. If it's for seizure control, you do run the risk of not taking enough and putting yourself at risk for seizures.
If you have one, your doctor may be willing to chat with you about it (free phone consult, never met a doctor who wouldn't do one of those for a current patient) and what she/he would do in your situation. Doctors can be a little freer on the phone and say things they'd never put in their case notes. Your doctor might also throw some free samples your way. My psychiatrist had a filing cabinet FULL of samples she'd dole out to patients in need.
FWIW I'm currently taking Gabapentin from 2012 and I need to take about 1.5 times the amount to get the same anxiety relief from brand new pills. I found three HUGE bottles in my old bathroom at my mom's house and I'm not wasting that stuff, damn.
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HaLeY0224 Says:
Re: Nan (# 8)
So I, myself, have been doing research on this and I have found that Gabapentin easily last 2-5 year's without losing its strength or potency...so any older than 5 years it's potency will decrease a bit but they are still safe to take...the only meds I have read about that I would NOT recommend taking past its exp. Date is any kind of antibiotics because most antibiotics are actual love bacteria and stuff so therefore the bacteria in them eventually will die off and go bad and sometimes they have even been known to mold...so I highly recommend that u throw out any and all antibiotics that r over a year old even if they appear to look/smell fine...but ur gabapentin should still b fine even tho it's right at the 5 year Mark but like I said the worst case scenario is that they have lost a small amount of strength and that's it! I hope u find this any kind of helpful!
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Hl Says:
I found gabapebtin 100 mg from 2010 are they still good
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Nan Says:
I have gabapentin from 2012. 100mg. Would they still be good? They have been sealed.
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Willie Says:
If it's stored properly particularly away from excessive heat and moisture they should last well past the expiry date. With the exception of a few drugs (mainly antibiotics) drugs will last much longer than you are led to believe. Over time they may lose a bit of potency but unless it's dangerous (e.g. a seizure disorder) you'll notice the reduced potency and will need new ones. Pharmaceutical companies have nothing to lose and everything to gain with their expiration dates. And unlike myself who happens to have a great pharmacist most of them do quite well in the profit department as well although I find if you ask them they're very honest about this.
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Froggy31 Says:
I say keep em cuz u never know when you will need em & they r good for bout any kinda pain or nerves
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lindsey Says:
Hello. I found some neurtin from 2011 they have been sealed and kept in a dry place. (Dark) are they still good?
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lisa Says:
The efficiency will not be up to par. You should dispose of it. They really won't do what you want sweetie. I know how it is with insurance. Dispose!!
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Valerie Says:
It would stil be good just mabe not as effective.Your right they are expensive. You can Google it.
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Deer hunter Says:
I found a bottle of gabapentin from 2014 would they still be good
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Verwon Says:
Hello, Lee! How are you?
They should be disposed of if they are past the expiration date on the label. That is the longest period of time they be guaranteed to retain efficacy under normal storage conditions.
This medication may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, weight changes and mood swings.
Is there anything else I can help with?
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