How long can a 2mg clonazepam be in a cabinet and still be good?
Question posted by nascar88 on 18 Aug 2011
Last updated on 29 August 2020 by Jveres
I had been on 2mg precription for some time and early this year he lowered my dosage to 1mg, which means I'm getting some better, and I took a 2mg that I have in the cabinet because of running out of my 1mg due to some undue stress and causing me to run out of my 1mg perscription 2 days early. It did not calm me at all. If anything it made me either more anxious or just maybe didn't work at all. I have since then gotten my 1mg refilled and it works like it is suppose to. Calms me down within minutes of taking it or it keeps me from getting overly upset about unneccesary issues. The 2mg if it were still good should have out me to sleep compared to how the 1mg does me. I am basically asking how long do they last inside a medicine bottle in a cabinet at room temperture before going completely null and void of working to calm me down? I guess I'm just trying to figure out how long I've had them in the cabinet. I realize I will destroy them and get rid of them because they did not work at all. If anything they might have made me even more upset because I had no control of my emotions when I took it. To the point of having a panic attack which I have not had one in over two years. There's the reason my dr dropped my dosage back to 1mg. Is that even posssible or is it just in my head? I didn't take anything else with it either, before you ask? And I will not be taking anymore of them I just really need to know if I'm right or wrong about this for my own sake, I hate to know that the issue I had to face was just so bad nothing was going to keep me from havig a panic attack. My biggest fear is them and the night terrors starting again. Thank you for your time and sorry I put so much detail into what I'm sure you'll find as a simple question. But this matters to me. I can't remember when I put them in the cabinet and that seems to be bothering me more than it should. Thank you again for you time and consideration for answering me. I will greatly appreiciate it.
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5 Answers
JV
Jveres
29 Aug 2020
I'm not 100% sure but I know that generally the medication just loses effectiveness as time goes on. But I'm pretty sure clonazepam has a shelf life at least 2 years. I'm so sorry you're going through what you're going through stay strong!
Votes: +0
VE
VEAck
26 Feb 2019
According to my Pharmacist and Dr almost all meds of this nature are good for up to 10 years if sealed in original Pharmacy container and stored in a cool place, if not they usally last 1 to 4 years depending on how and where you store you meds. I've taken older Clonazepam when I've ran out or they didn't have my brand for a couple of days that were almost 2 years old and never had a problem. I'd never store my meds in a Medicine cabinet cause of the moisture you get from your bathroom, even my Dr said to not. I put mine in a dark cabinet in my office that stays a cool 50 to lower temp.
Votes: +1
TA
tantoes
19 Sep 2018
The shelf life, sealed from temp and moisture, should be several years. Split the 2 mg pills. I advise to avoid EVERYTHING with caffeine. Even some clear liquid drinks contain massive caffeine, namely Mt DEW. Awful stuff. Perhaps why you feel bad at times? Also, if you are a coffee, tea, etc drinker... cut back slowly and take at least a few weeks to quit totally. Caffeine is a DRUG no one needs. Can really mess you up.
Votes: +1
NO
notsosure
3 Jan 2017
The shelf life can be up to 10 years or more after the expiration date. Some drugs may lose some efficacy. Liquid medicines are more susceptible to the actual stamped expiration. Nitroglycerin should not be used after the shelf life unless perhaps there is an emergency but I would ask a doctor on that last one. The US Army tested many prescription drugs and found them safe for a decade later.
Votes: +5
RA
Rajive Goel
18 Aug 2011
Usually meds have a shelf-life of 2 or 3 years from the date it was manufactured and that is mentioned on the pack/bottle, just for starters see what it reads as the expiry date of the pills, if they are expired then they would be of no use. You would have to get a new prescription & please destroy the expired pills.
Feel sorry for the condition and pain that you feel, please take care, be well & safe.
Votes: +3
NA
nascar88
18 Aug 2011
Thank you for the info.
RA
Rajive Goel
18 Aug 2011
Most welcome... please be well & safe, best wishes.