Toprol - Xl / Shelf Life / Expiration / Emergency

Updated

Hello. After searching and searching, the concept of an actual expiration of a drug seems to be very two-sided. Obviously, the manufacturer does not want to tell people that their drug is still 99.9% effective after 10 years because they would have to analyze it which would take ten years, they would be liable for various reasons, and they want you to buy more instead of taking old medicine. That is capitalism and I support it and understand it.

However, does anyone know what the actual shelf life of Toporol XL is? What if there is a natural disaster or (insert other unexpected reason here) and I cannot get to a pharmacy or the pharmacy cannot provide it? Sudden stoppage without titration can lead to death in my case. Even titrated stoppage can lead to death. Basically - I have to have a Beta Blocker or I will die. Can I have a one month supply that is 3 years, 5 years, 10 years old and know that I can count on it should I have a period of, say, 3 weeks that I cannot obtain it?

Finally, how is this not more of a public concern? I would assume millions of people take medicine that is life-sustaining and would cause death if they were unable to get it. What if the power grid were to go down and we had "Katrina", but it was the entire country? The government won't force companies to tell us about the actual shelf life so we can be prepared? I am not talking about delusional paranoia and having 20 years worth stockpiled, but the risk of there being a 2 - 3 weeks disruption in supply is viable. Opinions? Thoughts?

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1

I classify this the same as with food. All of it eventually spoils. Generally I refuse ALL drugs (not even aspirin will I have). But at least two or three years I go though all cabinets and discard anything too old or useless. If I see something important I would have already replaced it prior to the container empty.

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2

I take Toprol also. I have Inderal from 2016 and 2014. When Toprol ran out and I didn't have money to purchase it at that time, I took Inderal. Works fine. What about generics? Do they work as well? We will never know.

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3

Try what I do. If your doctor will give you the prescription for the extra month, why let it age? Simply swap out your new prescription for your stored prescription each month. Than its always fresh and you have no worries.

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4

I was recently told by a medical professional that the U.S. is the only country that requires strict expiration dates on medications. I have no proof of this, so take it for what it's worth, which likely isn't much. LOL

As Marvin said, eventually everything goes bad. I once knew a woman who swore eggs didn't go bad, no matter how old they were......... but having grown up on a farm, and spending time on the farm of family friends, I can assure you that they do go bad. Trust me, if you have not had to slop hogs with some spoiled eggs, you have not really smelled rot. I can't even describe the stench! I've no doubt there are others that have grown up on farms who will agree with me.

Regarding medications, the U.S. FDA requires solid medications, such as tablets, or capsules to have an expiration date of no more than one year from the date they have been dispensed to you by your pharmacy, in their provided bottle. However, if they are in the original factory sealed container, they are usually good for about 4 to 5 years from the date of manufacture. Thus, if you can, obtaining a sealed bottle is your best option.

Or, as Karen said, swapping them out each month can also be a good idea.

In most cases, this class of medications doesn't have a disruption in supply, but it is always best to be careful.

Does anyone else have any ideas or suggestions that might help?

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