Expired Medication (Valium/Diazepam)

[MIGrandma]

Some of you may remember my Mom is in a nursing home. She is not doing well at all, down to 62 pounds, not eating (refuses a feeding tube, has a DNR) and is "ready to go." I know she doesn't have much time left (one of her nurses last Wednesday said she had "maybe about a week left") and I dread the visitation/funeral so very much, so I spoke with the office manager at my doctor's office about getting a prescription for Valium (Diazepam) to help me those few days after she passes.

My doctor sent a prescription for Buspar to Walmart. I sent him a message letting him know I didn't need anything long-term, which is more what this medication is for, but just the Valium/Diazepam to help me those few days. From speaking to the office manager he had been under the impression I wanted something long term. I told him I have taken Diazepam twice before, once in 2014 when I had some extensive dental work done and had 10mg at that time. And again last October when I had Mohs surgery on my face for skin cancer.

So, he sent a prescription for Diazepam for me, but only 2mg.

So I dug around in my kitchen cabinet and actually came up with the original bottle of Valium from 2014 and still have about 10 pills left. I know they have technically expired, but was wondering if anyone here has experience in taking expired Diazepam. I did a bit of research and it sounds like it's okay to take them, they will have lost some of their potency but not much. Some people have taken pills that have been "expired" for 10 years and said they were fine. It seems it's more liquid and refrigerated medications that shouldn't be taken after the expiration date. So I was just wondering if anyone here has taken expired Valium/Diazepam and if it still helped them or not.

 

[ronandannette]

I can't answer your question, but the thing that struck me most about your post is that your doctor will prescribe that type of medicine (especially that first anti-anxiety drug) over the phone. Can you just call up and ask for other drugs you think are appropriate, like antibiotics and pain meds too? Weird.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Some of you may remember my Mom is in a nursing home. She is not doing well at all, down to 62 pounds, not eating (refuses a feeding tube, has a DNR) and is "ready to go." I know she doesn't have much time left (one of her nurses last Wednesday said she had "maybe about a week left") and I dread the visitation/funeral so very much, so I spoke with the office manager at my doctor's office about getting a prescription for Valium (Diazepam) to help me those few days after she passes.

My doctor sent a prescription for Buspar to Walmart. I sent him a message letting him know I didn't need anything long-term, which is more what this medication is for, but just the Valium/Diazepam to help me those few days. From speaking to the office manager he had been under the impression I wanted something long term. I told him I have taken Diazepam twice before, once in 2014 when I had some extensive dental work done and had 10mg at that time. And again last October when I had Mohs surgery on my face for skin cancer.

So, he sent a prescription for Diazepam for me, but only 2mg.

So I dug around in my kitchen cabinet and actually came up with the original bottle of Valium from 2014 and still have about 10 pills left. I know they have technically expired, but was wondering if anyone here has experience in taking expired Diazepam. I did a bit of research and it sounds like it's okay to take them, they will have lost some of their potency but not much. Some people have taken pills that have been "expired" for 10 years and said they were fine. It seems it's more liquid and refrigerated medications that shouldn't be taken after the expiration date. So I was just wondering if anyone here has taken expired Valium/Diazepam and if it still helped them or not.

I sorta speak from experience I have taken expired xanix (sp) and it worked just fine not as loopy but it still allowed the dentist to get the job done

 

[Hikergirl]

I just want to say that I am sorry for what you are going through.

I haven't taken that specific medication but I have taken expired by a couple years medication. It isn't going to make you sick but the effectiveness may be less. I wouldn't take more than the recommended dose t compensate because from what I have read it does take a very long time for that to happen.

 

[MIGrandma]

I can't answer your question, but the thing that struck me most about your post is that your doctor will prescribe that type of medicine (especially that first anti-anxiety drug) over the phone. Can you just call up and ask for other drugs you think are appropriate, like antibiotics and pain meds too? Weird.

I've known my doctor for many years, he knows my history. Why wouldn't he prescribe something for me if I asked for it and he thought it was okay? Yes, I think the Diazepam is appropriate to ask for, as I've taken it twice before. I see my doctor every 3-months for a diabetic checkup. I just saw him for that at the end of June, and we discussed my mother's health at that time so he knew she wasn't doing well so probably wasn't at all surprised that I asked for something to help me get through the few days of visitation and funeral. Now maybe if I didn't see my doctor often he would have wanted me to come in and talk to him before he prescribed it, but since he sees me often obviously he didn't feel the need to do that. I don't think it's weird at all.

I just want to say that I am sorry for what you are going through.

I haven't taken that specific medication but I have taken expired by a couple years medication. It isn't going to make you sick but the effectiveness may be less. I wouldn't take more than the recommended dose t compensate because from what I have read it does take a very long time for that to happen.

Thank you, Hikergirl, for the kind thoughts, I appreciate it. Yes, I figured the effectiveness of the 2014 Diazepam wouldn't be quite as effective, and I wouldn't take more than the one 10mg pill at a time. I don't want to be "out of it" or anything like that. Just take the edge off the anxiety of the visitation and funeral.

 

[Micca]

I'm sorry to hear the news about your mom, this would be a difficult time for anyone. Any chance you could call your doctor or a pharmacy and ask about the expired meds? Try to hang in there.

 

[cabanafrau]

So sorry to hear why you're asking the question. Sending good thoughts for a peaceful heart and mind.

 

[amberpi]

Sorry to hear about this. I'll definitely be keeping you in my thoughts. I am effected really strongly by drugs, so I can't help much, but it doesn't sound like it'd hurt.

 

[MIGrandma]

I'm sorry to hear the news about your mom, this would be a difficult time for anyone. Any chance you could call your doctor or a pharmacy and ask about the expired meds? Try to hang in there.

Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate it. Yes, I could call my doctor's office or ask at the pharmacy, but I just wanted to know if others here had experience taking expired valium and if it still helped them or not.

 

[mjkacmom]

I can't answer your question, but the thing that struck me most about your post is that your doctor will prescribe that type of medicine (especially that first anti-anxiety drug) over the phone. Can you just call up and ask for other drugs you think are appropriate, like antibiotics and pain meds too? Weird.

i had no problem getting my dad (Alzheimer's) a prescription for anti anxiety medication over the phone, and I think most will prescribe short term anti anxiety medications for certain situations like this.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Some of you may remember my Mom is in a nursing home. She is not doing well at all, down to 62 pounds, not eating (refuses a feeding tube, has a DNR) and is "ready to go." I know she doesn't have much time left (one of her nurses last Wednesday said she had "maybe about a week left") and I dread the visitation/funeral so very much, so I spoke with the office manager at my doctor's office about getting a prescription for Valium (Diazepam) to help me those few days after she passes.

My doctor sent a prescription for Buspar to Walmart. I sent him a message letting him know I didn't need anything long-term, which is more what this medication is for, but just the Valium/Diazepam to help me those few days. From speaking to the office manager he had been under the impression I wanted something long term. I told him I have taken Diazepam twice before, once in 2014 when I had some extensive dental work done and had 10mg at that time. And again last October when I had Mohs surgery on my face for skin cancer.

So, he sent a prescription for Diazepam for me, but only 2mg.

So I dug around in my kitchen cabinet and actually came up with the original bottle of Valium from 2014 and still have about 10 pills left. I know they have technically expired, but was wondering if anyone here has experience in taking expired Diazepam. I did a bit of research and it sounds like it's okay to take them, they will have lost some of their potency but not much. Some people have taken pills that have been "expired" for 10 years and said they were fine. It seems it's more liquid and refrigerated medications that shouldn't be taken after the expiration date. So I was just wondering if anyone here has taken expired Valium/Diazepam and if it still helped them or not.

GO to your doc's office and wait while he writes you a handwritten script that is correct. That is my advice.

 

[mom2rtk]

Just wanted to say I'm sorry this is such a difficult time for you. I hope you get the help you need to get through it.

 

[Kitty 34]

MIGrandma, I feel bad that you are going thru so much with your Mom.

 

[Domo]

No answers, just

 

[Planogirl]

No answers here either. I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am to hear this.

 

[RedAngie]

I wouldn't trust any medication that expired 3 years ago. Not that it would be harmful, just that it might not be beneficial. Can you call again or visit the office in person to obtain an Rx for exactly what you're seeking?

 

[danielocha30]

a family member work for a lab, expiration dates are a formality, it will work and sorry for what's happening with your mom.

 

[ols386]

Just don't stay on that type of med for very long. It's addictive. I think the law has changed and scripts for that type of med require a written script rather than being called in.

So sorry about your mother. Keeping your mom and you in my prayers.

 

[lsyorke]

10 mg of valium is a pretty large dose of valium. If your looking to take the edge off 2mg should be fine.

 

[low-key]

take it