I have some old Valium tablets. Will they still work?
Question posted by hondagirl on 24 May 2012
Last updated on 9 March 2015
3 Answers
I would NOT start taking valium unless you are currently prescribed them. As you have already read in the other responses... they DO lose their potency and you should just flush them.
Why are you feeling you need to start taking something that you aren't possibly going to be able to get again??? Valium is nothing to mess with and totally screwed up my ex-m-i-l. She has the shakes "still" 20 years later because two different doctors were prescribing it to her and she was taking way too much. It was some time later that one of her "smarter" doctors realized she was over being over medicated and started weaning her off. It was a freaking nightmare for her and everybody around her.
Don't do it... if you are having anxiety issues then you need to consider the possibility something in your life is causing this and to change that "thing", if at all possible. Or, just having way too much pressure in your life is no reason to start taking valium. It is way too potent for just "random", bad day use.
You didn't mention what is happening in your life that has you asking this question? That could be helpful, too... we are here to support you but we can only support you in making good choices and better decision making skills than popping a year old medication...
I hope this helps you and I hope you will post a bit more about "why"...
I wish you peace in your world and not more problems that taking this stuff can cause you.
Mary
Again… Be informed! DO NOT FLUSH MEDS DOWN THE TOILET !!! NO NO NO!
Do your research and be informed that medicines are not supposed to be flushed down the toilet. There are companies which will dispose of them correctly. And some doctors are kind enough to take them back and even some pharmacists too and dispose of them for free. If you want peace on this earth lets hope our future generations see it by us be responsible, and not giving uninformed advice.
Why mess with them? If you had a prescription just get a fresh one. If you didn't then, well, I'd still flush them. Hope this helps.
Meds are NOT to be flushed down the toilet! There is a proper means of disposal of such and if any questions, pls direct them to your pharmacist to guide you. Or google it. Each State and cities provide the means to do so. That way our water does not get contaminated. Protecting our environment is key!
Seriously you flush human waste down the toilet every day. Most pills DO lose efficacy after awhile, if you look at most bottles they now have a one yr expiration date. Even if the pills MAY be good for significantly longer. Another example of big corporations taking from the public in the fabricated sake of safety. That said, you should always err on the side of caution regarding your own health. Ask your doctor or an independent (small town) pharmacist.
If you're not the one who posted the question back-off.
omg .D o you live on Planet Earth?
Our oceans are dying from plastics and flushed medicines.
You will poison our fish. You cannot guarantee that all drugs will be purified
out of our water systems.
All waters go back to the ocean eventually.
PLEASE DO NOT FLUSH DRUGS.
BAD ENOUGH WHEN YOU DOUBLE WRAP IN FOIL THAT THEY HAVE TO SIT IN LANDFILLS FOR 50 YEARS.
DOUBLE FOIL WRAPPED, PUT IN THE TRASH.THAT'S THE BEST ANSWER WE HAVE FOR NOW.
DO NOT FLUSH. I THOUGHT EVERY ONE KNEW THAT BY NOW???
Hello hondagirl. The norm is a drug is discarded a year after the perscription is filled because the chemical substances will over time, diminish and lose its potency. Regards, pledge
pledge, in the places i have lived (california, oregon) the reason they put a 1 year expiration date on prescriptions is just because it is quicker and easier. i can sometimes lift up the label to see the real expiration date. if not, my husband always asks what the expiration is on the bottle they dispensed the meds from and it is anywhere between 2-6 years later. we do this at the vet office too.
Thank you briards. Interesting info I see your point. Have a good weekend (Memorial Day) bye now, pledge
Related topics
valium, anxiety, panic disorder
Further information
- Valium uses and safety info
- Valium prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Valium (detailed)
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