Expired Meds

[melissa ann]

DCM yesterday asked if I would give her dd some medication throughout the day for her runny nose. She filled out the form stating the otc medication, when to take, how much etc.
The medication was in the dcg's bag of extra clothes. When I looked at it, it said it expired Oct 2010. I have used food products before that was past date as long as it wasn't more then a month and it wasnt' opened. But never meds. I called mom up, and she said that it was fine to use.
What are your opinions on this?

[Cat Herder]

It will be fine for a bit longer. You do have the right to say no.

I DO NOT give OTC for colds/runny noses. It is no longer recommended in peds and I wont do it.

In the future you may want to check it before letting her leave just to reduce liability if she does have a reaction while under your care...

****s she dumped that on you...she should have given it at home if it was so important.

[Pammie]

I won't give kids expired medications - the same as I won't give them expired food products.
The expiration date is there for a reason - and I don't accept the liability of knowingly giving a child anything that's past it's expiration date.

JMO

[DCMomOf3]

I may be wrong but I am pretty sure meds get more potent after the expiration date. I won't give expired meds and I also don't medicate for basic cold symptoms. Are you sure this mom is not trying to hide a fever?

[MARSTELAC]

No way. I will give prescription meds with signed authorization form and only if meds are labeled and unexpired. I also will give OTC stuff if they supply it and mark it with kids name and give me dosing instructions in their own handwriting.

[SandeeAR]

OTC meds are usually good for a year after expiration date . They just lose a little strength.

I have packaged meds for a mission to another country before. A lot of the meds that they received from Dr and pharmacies, were out of date.

[countrymom]

its true, meds do lose their affect a little after the expire date, so it won't hurt her. I carry my own supply of meds so I don't have to worry about expiration dates.

[KEG123]

I would not give them to her. I'd call and explain to mom that she needs to bring new meds...


But then again, what meds "cure" a runny nose??

[twinsand4]

My peditrician told me most meds have a much longer shelf life than what they say and the worst that would happen is it wouldnt work that well. I would have given it to her.

[dEHmom]

it is fine, they lose their strength that is the only reason.

Also, the reason they took all of those meds off the market for 6 and under is because studies showed they weren't as effective on kids under age of 6. So parents were doubling, tripling, quadrupling the doses (giving dose, then dosing again because it wasn't kicking in after half hour/hour) and kids were ending up hospitalized.

I still dose my own children based on what I know the dosages are (and I have a pharmacist in the family, so they know what the dosage is to safely give). I find on my own children, a 1 ml dose from age 2 & up is enough to give them some relief from coughing, sneezing, runny nose), but I only dose them if it's creating an issue with sleeping, or anything else. I don't give my kids meds unless I am desperate to give them some relief.

Most foods/meds/products have a best before date, not an expiration date....Its mainly just a gimmick so you will throw it away and purchase new stuff. They dont' want you to know that it lasts 10 yrs. My parents have a 1980s vicks vapor rub that is still very effective although it expired in the 80's !