Out of date meds

[Ajva]

I have a whole box of tirosint and armour NDT that is all going to go out of date march 30th. I still have a whole two months left. Anyone know if this will still be ok?

Really do not want to Chuck considering how much it cost.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

There are two very recent and similar questions with several replies:

Best before date T3

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Out dated Grossman cynomel.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

[Ajva in reply to helvella]

I saw those but they were based on t3. I am looking at t4 and the NDT I know has the t3

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Ajva]

The basis for the replies is exactly the same. None of these medicines change suddenly or dangerously - they just slowly lose potency. (Assuming reasonable storage conditions.)

I also replied on another thread about the same general issue:

Questions on how to keep levo meds and shelf life

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[meme]

you can freeze Armour. Just take a few from the freezer each day/week .

[Ajva in reply to meme]

I never knew this! Thank you

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to meme]

Freezing of medicines can profoundly affect them.

It changes the distribution of water molecules, the physical characteristics of the tablets, and the effects of thawing and probable condensation are not to be ignored.

Quick-freezing, such as is achievable by industrial processes, is very different to putting some in a domestic freezer.

Without good evidence that it is desirable - including being safe and consistent - I'd avoid attempting the freezing of any medicine.

[meme in reply to helvella]

I have not had a problem freezing NDT in the past. And it saved wasting them.

I suppose a thyroid test before taking frozen ones followed by another 6/8 weeks later plus monitoring symptoms might be helpful?

I cannot remember who recommended freezing to me many years ago.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to meme]

We have had members report that their tablets did not withstand freezing. They crumble when thawed.

There is also the issue that modern freezers which incorporate "Frost Free" have very different characteristics which include warming up! That would most definitely be a bad idea.

The manufacturer recommends 15 to 30 Celsius. And, while I cannot imagine any issues from being a little bit cooler, avoidance of condensation is important. Any condensation could allow mould to grow.

Rather than go through a list of known and possible issues, it seems far easier just to avoid freezing tablets.

[mistydog in reply to helvella]

My tablets contain a dessicant and I have never had an issue with them.

[Bluedragon]

I had some out of date Thiroyd- it had been stored in a dark cool cupboard. I noticed no difference- and I think they were several months out of date!

[my3ratts]

I would not take it after the expiration date. It may not be as effective. I have wasted tons of thyroid medication that I was unable to use trying to find the correct dosage.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to my3ratts]

It's always worth a try using out of date meds, the only thing that can happen is that it's lost some potency. I have used T3 which was out of date by 2 years and noticed no loss of potency, I'd hate to think how much money I would have wasted if I had not used them.

[Ajva]

that’s what I am thinking. I have already have loads of compounded t3 that’s got 200 tablets plus in and it is currently jusy sitting on my cuboard. So I am not keen on wasting anymore as it would work out around a £500 loss

[Audley1013]

Hi, If they are the same dose, can't you mix them in with your current ones? I.E. one expired one every other day form a current one, or every few days or once a week until they are used up? That way you keep your levels kind of stable until you catch up?