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What Are The Possible Repercussions Of Taking Expired Acetaminophen?
Question: My daughter is having intense pain from a fingertip burn from a glue gun. I want to give her hydrocodone with acetominophen but it says it expired in 2007. What problems could there be from giving it to her?
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Brief Answer:
Do not use expired acetaminophen.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Some medications have expiration dates but taking it is still fairly safe although the medication will have lost some of it's potency. However, acetaminophen (which is what is in Tylenol) is downright dangerous if expired as it can cause Fanconi's syndrome and be toxic on the liver. So please don't give her this if it has expired.
Also, if she has already had Tylenol, you don't want to give another product that has acetaminophen in it if she still has Tylenol in her system as that can be too much.
If she is in a great deal of pain, a few options are to go to a late night urgent care clinic, or call her doctor or doctor on call for her doctor who might phone in a fresh prescription.
If none of these are options, consider giving ibuprofen, up 200 - 600 mg, after she has food in her stomach. Apply ice, and elevate the finger above the level of her heart.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Do not use expired acetaminophen.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Some medications have expiration dates but taking it is still fairly safe although the medication will have lost some of it's potency. However, acetaminophen (which is what is in Tylenol) is downright dangerous if expired as it can cause Fanconi's syndrome and be toxic on the liver. So please don't give her this if it has expired.
Also, if she has already had Tylenol, you don't want to give another product that has acetaminophen in it if she still has Tylenol in her system as that can be too much.
If she is in a great deal of pain, a few options are to go to a late night urgent care clinic, or call her doctor or doctor on call for her doctor who might phone in a fresh prescription.
If none of these are options, consider giving ibuprofen, up 200 - 600 mg, after she has food in her stomach. Apply ice, and elevate the finger above the level of her heart.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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