Is it OK to take medication a year out of date?

[Lopity]

I have GERD (reflux) and generally manage it with Gaviscon but am having a flare up and want to take Omeprazole for a few weeks. I've got some left over from a previous prescription but they expired Jan 2023. Will it be OK to take these?

I know it would be better to make a GP appointment but I go on holiday tomorrow and don't think I would manage to get one in time.

Not really, sometimes chemical changes can occur or even bacterial growth.

You can buy omeprazole over the counter in the UK?

Can you? Are you sure it's Omeprazole?

Yes, you can get it on Amazon. But I wouldn't hesitate to take the ones you've got if it were me!

Yup, I buy mine from our local Boots.

Just buy some fresh from Boots or something, the potency and effectiveness of medication can deteriorate over time, the more out of date it is the less effective it'll be. You surely wouldn't want it to not work while you're on holiday when you could've just bought some?

It wont hurt you but it will probably not be as effective.

Thanks I had no idea you can buy it now - will get down to Boots first thing!

I do this a fair bit as it seems such a waste.

I've always found the out of date stuff to still work in an emergency, it just probably loses some of its potency.

I'd say go for it and see if it helps.

I wouldn’t take it, it’s way out of date.
Yes, to going to Boots.

I would take them without hesitation

Me too.