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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> expired Imitrex question..
        
(Message started by: _jeff on Jul 30^th, 2003, 9:54pm)

Title: expired Imitrex question..
Post by _jeff on Jul 30^th, 2003, 9:54pm

Is it safe to use Imitrex shot which expired in August 2002 ?
I'll be getting more if my cycle sticks around but have the one sealed, expired vial.
They're baaack : (

Title: Re: expired Imitrex question..
Post by Melissa on Jul 30^th, 2003, 9:56pm

I have read on here of some people who have taken injections as old as 3 years and they still worked. I would say it's quite safe to use yours. Oh, and sorry to hear the beast is back for ya :(

Title: Re: expired Imitrex question..
Post by _jeff on Jul 30^th, 2003, 10:10pm

Thanks Melissa, kim also gave me some good info. Yes, I was two years pain free. Last cycle lasted six months, almost every day or more. Still not as bad as as those of you who get em' full time. It was interesting, this first one was a little different flavor. The pain was not as deep in my head but wriggled around more. Normal Horner's syndrome and stuffy nose though. Hurt like the dickens, pray for my wife. Bless her heart.
One good thing though. I get to see my friends at CH.com : )
_jeff

Title: Re: expired Imitrex question..
Post by eyes_afire on Jul 30^th, 2003, 10:15pm

Hi Jeff. Sorry they're back. I responded to the same question awhile back with my opinion. It's a little long-winded. Here's what I wrote:

Imitrex expiration is a very common topic here. If you're interested, here is how I explained it in the past based on my knowledge from working with drug product stability studies:

To obtain FDA approval, drugs are tested for product stability. To get approval, the drugs have to demonstrate product stability at least up to thier expiration date. A comprehensive 3 year stability study may cost the drug company $1 million (but don't cry for the drug companies, because they make a killing in profits). Speaking from experience, most drug companies don't pursue stability studies beyond 3 years, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the product is not good for longer than that. The product may very well be good for much longer than that, but it doesn't do the drug companies much good investing that kind of money just to get a longer expiration date.

Basically the expiration date means either:

1. The drug product will lose potency once the expiration date is exceeded.

or

2. The drug company knows that the product is at least effective up to expiration date and didn't see a need to invest further simply to get a longer expiration.

Personally, I would use expired imitrex if I needed to. Most obvious down-side is that it might not be as potent. Based upon what others have reported here on this message board, I'll bet that imitrex is very stable. That's just my opinion, you may want to check the archives. Of course, you should not take imitrex unless it is under the supervision of a physician.

Certainly, I'm not advocating that you disobey your doc or take meds improperly, I'm just offering my perspective.

Drug Product Stability study protocols are governed and influenced by the US Code of Federal Regulations Part 211 subpart G and the International Conference on Harmonization. For more info:

http://www.fda.gov/cder/dmpq/cgmpregs.htm#211.137

http://www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/4282fnl.htm#P511_40316

--- Steve

Title: Re: expired Imitrex question..
Post by andy on Jul 31^st, 2003, 12:55am

Jeff, I have used my imitrex inj. that was 2 years past expiration. And i used the imitrex tip so i got 3 shots out of 1 dose. I wouldnt worry about it unless its been in the heat or in your car for years. Sorry that you had to come back here but welcome and stick around for a while. Do you have o2? What preventives are you on? Good luck in the search for painfree times. .............andy

Title: Re: expired Imitrex question..
Post by Irma on Jul 31^st, 2003, 9:37am

Use it & don't think twice about it...

I

Title: Re: expired Imitrex question..
Post by K-MAN on Jul 31^st, 2003, 1:23pm

I ran into this problem recently. I had a stockpile of Imitrex that I had stored that was expired. I called the manufacturer (GlaxoSmithKline - www.gsk.com), and they said that they would replace it. They suggested I contact the nearest Eckerd's and work it out with them.

I called and told Eckerd's how much of it I had and that it was expired and needed an even exchange. They were surprisingly helpful and agreed to replace it all with current medication. I took them the old Imitrex, and they replaced it all at no charge.

I have a hunch that the drug manufacturer is at greater legal risk for you to use outdated medicine. It is probably more advantageous for them to give you new meds than deal with any potential legal hassles. Just a hunch. It's worth a try.

Good luck,

K-MAN

Title: Re: expired Imitrex question..
Post by Ree on Aug 1^st, 2003, 4:40pm

Hey Jeff Dave has been using trex that has a july 2002 on it... so yours are a little better... they are working... thank God... good luck sorry they are back for you... Ree