What is the shelf life.. I have a bottle dated 8-2006?

Hi There,
Sorry to hear you have a UTI. They are very unpleasant & need to be treated. I don't know what drug your old script is, but to be safe, please call or visit the pharmacy where you got it & ask the pharmasist. A lot depends on how the pills have been stored. If they are in a dark, cool, place, in a tightly secured bottle, your chances are better, BUT, drugs do break down with time, & some can be harmful to take as they probably have lost potency and are not the same as when they were fresh. If you cannot contact the pharmacy where you got them from, call any pharmacy in your local area, tell them what the pills are, the date you got them, & ask if they are still useful. In other words, proceed with caution, please. In many staes, you can go to the Public Health Department & they offer free or very low cost care for those who are ill & in need. Do you possibly have a free or low income clinic in your area? Most all towns have them. In the mean time, to help (not cure) the symptoms of your UTI, you can buy, over the counter, AZO Standard pills, which is Phenazopyridine Hydrochchloride 95 mg. tablets, which works well in relieving the pain & burning, & the feeling that you have to constantly empty your bladder. These pills were once by perscription only, but now are easily available at most grocery stores, drug stores, & since you are low on funds, I would buy them at Wal Mart, or K Mart. They will turn your urine orange, & stain everything, so you may want to wear your old panties & sleep with a towel under you at night so not to stain your sheets. I have sucessfully got the stains out by soaking the stained items right away in cold water with a little detergent, & some stain remover like Spray & Wash, for about 12 to 24 hours, then rinsing them and then washing them. Also, you will find AZO Cranberry Tablets, which help as well in promoting Urinary Health, helpful.These have the highest concentration of natural cranberry concentrate, as well as vitamin C, & Probiotics, which is very good for you, and you don't get all the sugar that is in cranberry juice, or the tart taste. Do not exceed the recommended dosage of either of these pills. If you are Diabetic, please find a Doctor, Physicians Assistant or Nurse Practioner that will treat you with the proper antibiotics. UTI'S are not to be ignored. I wish you the very best in getting the treatment you need and feeling much better very soon. Take care!