Out of date sertraline, safe to take?

[Snowfus]

I am currently away and have been cutting my usual dose of sertraline tablets (50 mg) in half daily to make them last. I have only been doing this the past couple of days but it has given me a strong headache. I found some out of date sertraline in my medicine bag (July 2019) and wonder would it be safe to take these until I am home and can access my medication. I would only be taking 2 out of date sertraline at the most to do me over the weekend but wanted to know if it's safe, as taking half the dosage is making me feel ill with bad headaches.

[Tellmeaboutit]

yes its ok. prescriptions list an expiration date 1 year after they are filled, just as a mater of policy. the chemical compounds are actually much more stable than that.

also, when they do degrade, they only lose their effectiveness, as opposed to becoming unsafe.

to minimize the risk even further, continue to take a half dose from your current supply, and add a half dose of the expired pills.

[Sprinkle1 in reply to Tellmeaboutit]

I agree with Tellmeaboutit, I had a friend who was pharmacist, I questioned here on expiration dates, she said the same thing, they are OK, won't make you ill, maybe will have lost some of their strength. She said the ones to be aware of are the liquids, and generally we keep those in the fridge and use them up quickly. So go for do not suffer the headaches.....Sprinkle 1.....

[Snowfus in reply to Sprinkle1]

Thank you so much, a weight off my mind.

[Snowfus in reply to Tellmeaboutit]

Thank you so much for your advice!

[Sprinkle1 in reply to Snowfus]

So glad I could be of help, it is bad enough to have depression, without worrying about the med's we take. I hope you are already feeling better. Sending love & Hugs....Sprinkle 1.....

[Hidden]

It's perfectly fine.