Hi All,
I have a quick question and would like to get a straight answer.I'm wondering when Percocet,Vycodin(sp?)etc go past their expiration date do they get weaker ? Toxic? or what? I've heard both & to be honest I've got a few "old" ones left in the med cabinet(just in case).Thanks in advanced.I hope this is the right board for this...

shmal,

You should not take any medication that is past its expiration date, period. Why take a chance that it could do more harm than good. That is just my honest opinion.

Take care.

the above poster is right,really.depending on just how old these meds are,if they were just slightly past their exp dates,I would still take them if i was in agony,but anything really past that little over,I would not risk it,espescially if these have been sitting in the actual medicine cabinet in your bathroom all this time.the bathroom is actually the worst place to store any type of actual meds as the heat and humidity breaks down the meds much faster.try using a cupboard in the kitchen or a hallway closet instead.
when meds get old,they tend to breakdown and can actually turn from something fairly safe to something that could really harm you.you have to remember that any meds are chemicals,and can become toxic after breakdown.toss em.FB

Well iguess I know what needs to be done...As for the storage I do keep them in a kitchen cabinet up at the top in the child proof bottles.So they are not in the bathroom.I appreciate you both responding thanks...

Well with vicodin I know that it looses its effect. I am sure you will recieve the same answer as the above posters gave. But you could always talk to a pharmacist.