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Would Taking An Expired Cetirizine Tablet Cause Adverse Effects?

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Posted on Thu, 8 Jun 2017
Question: I took cetrizine tablet.. it had manufacturing date Aug 2014... expiry information got removed... now i am just worried if it was expired as it is more than 2 years
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
ideally visit an ER

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your message.
I think I can help you.
First, expired medicines should usually not be taken.
Having said that, most commonly the drug wears off and the medicine is ineffective.
Sometimes, there are side effects to the drug metabolites that may form.

I think it would be better to be careful for the time being.
In case you feel any symptoms go to the emergency.
Usually it would occur within 4 to 8 hours.
Beyond that, the body starts removing the drug.

There is no way to predict whether you will develop any side effect.
As I said before, it is more likely that the drug will not be effective for whatever you are taking it.
So please try to relax.
And change the tablets as soon as possible.
Please feel free to ask anything related.
Best of luck, Dr Mittal
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Saumya Mittal

Diabetologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2897 Questions

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Would Taking An Expired Cetirizine Tablet Cause Adverse Effects?

Brief Answer: ideally visit an ER Detailed Answer: Hello. I am Dr Mittal. I have read your message. I think I can help you. First, expired medicines should usually not be taken. Having said that, most commonly the drug wears off and the medicine is ineffective. Sometimes, there are side effects to the drug metabolites that may form. I think it would be better to be careful for the time being. In case you feel any symptoms go to the emergency. Usually it would occur within 4 to 8 hours. Beyond that, the body starts removing the drug. There is no way to predict whether you will develop any side effect. As I said before, it is more likely that the drug will not be effective for whatever you are taking it. So please try to relax. And change the tablets as soon as possible. Please feel free to ask anything related. Best of luck, Dr Mittal