Taking expired vitamins?
By 911Ricki
@911Ricki (13588)
Canada
February 9, 2013 10:43am CST
I was going through my medicine cupboard, and throwing out the expired things. I even went through my parents upstairs.
Boy there are some that are as back as 2002 (shows how often these cupboards are going through). I had about 6 different kinds of birth control, which made me sick, and I switched. Samples the doctor gave my brother, and he never used, or after surgeries that make them sick.
I put them all in a bag (about 1.5 Walmart plastic bags), and will bring them to the pharmacy Monday when I go in for them to dispose of.
4 people like this
8 responses
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
10 Feb 13
All expired medicines we have in the house, I just usually throw them out. But when I was still working in the pharmacy of my brother, for as long as the receipts are intact and the medicines have not been opened, the pharmaceutical companies would gladly take them back and give you a refund. But no walk in clients can be able to do that in any pharmacy here in our country.
@GardenGerty (157840)
• United States
9 Feb 13
Our doctor says you can grind them up and mix them with coffee grounds or kitty litter to dispose of them. I have also heard of burning them if you have a fireplace or fire pit. It is good not to flush them, though that is what we used to be told to do. I will take some things, if it is just a month or two over. I get rid of older stuff.
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
10 Feb 13
If they catch you here it's illegal doing all that. We are on septic so flushing them is not possible. Here the pharmacy will take it, and dispose of it properly for free.
The pharmacy will do it for free here, so I just drop them off when I get a presciption and hand them my goody bag.
Most of this stuff is from 1999 - 2010.
@mensab (4200)
• Philippines
9 Feb 13
i never could imagine such a huge volume of expired medicines and vitamins. this reminds me that i have to sort out my papers which started to accumulate when i was still in graduate school. i need to reduce my stuff and unclog my cabinets of outdated research papers.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
9 Feb 13
It's good your getting rid of them. Makes for more room in the cupboards and keeps the expires away.
I know that when I've not felt good and was desperate (pain) I've thought of taking pills that had expired but never did. Don't want to risk it. Heck, even antibiotic ointment I don't risk.
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
9 Feb 13
Experide vitamins and minerals one can use without any problem. It all depends on how they were stored. The only thing that can happen is that the vitamins/minerals are less effective.
@nishant86796 (236)
•
9 Feb 13
It was right time when you collected them and disposed them and i think you should have done that earlier because it may have harmed any of your family member.What i think is never keep the medicene for too long and whenever you are under a course of medicene and if some medicens are left throw them or buy only limited.What i used to do is except for cough or general medicene if are left keep them seprately and mostly throw them because next time you never use them.So just do it for your and your family safety.
@MoonGypsy (4606)
• United States
9 Feb 13
that's a good thing that you are taking your expired medications to the pharmacy. i didn't know that's what you do with expired pills. usually, i finish my bottles and never have to worry about it, but just in case i ever do. thanks for the info.
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
9 Feb 13
I dont think Id chance it, Im sure they have those dates for a reason. Have a great weekend there....
