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Is An Expired Morphine Sulfate Durg Safe To Use?

Posted on Thu, 10 Mar 2016

Question: About a year ago I was prescribed Morphine Sulfate oral solution for pain. I used as prescribed a couple times since and that's it. The bottle has an expiration date of March 2015. I would like to keep it, in case of pain in the future. I have read that this type of medication remains active (good) for a few years after expiration. I was wondering if you could give me a good rule of thumb, is it 1 year, 5 years, 10 years or 20 years. I'm just curious. This type of medication is hard to get and I don't want to throw it away if it's still good.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Morphine or any drug should not be used after the expiration date

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. Any medicine is combined with additives which are chemical substances to retain the potency of the drug.

2. The expiration date is decided keeping in mind the drug and additive which helps to maintain the pharmacological properties.

3. After the expiry date is over the drug is rendered dangerous for consumption and should be discarded. Beyond this it can cause serious side effects.

In conclusion, it is a long time since your morphine solution has got expired and therefore unfit for use.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar