AIBU to use out of date antibiotics?

[WhatIsThisPlease]

I've cut my finger and thumb getting my Invisalign trays out, deep in the nail bed.

They've gone septic and are really sore and throbbing.

I've got some Flucloxacillin which I think would be fine but the expiry date was December 2021.

Will they be ok to take?

I last went to the doctor 7 years ago. My antibiotics always work. You do you.

You may find the rules change in Spain though, as antibiotic resistance becomes more of an issue. There are lots of places in the world where you can buy basic antibiotics over the counter. It makes sense in lots of ways and probably reduces the need for GP visits for minor infect but it is definitely not optimal for the resistance issue. If the OP was asking about expired antibiotics and she was in Spain, the sensible advice would have been to suggest she pops into a pharmacy and ask if they were ok to take 6 months expired or if she should buy a new box and also the pharmacist would probably tell her how long she should take them for at what dose as a standard baseline. The UK is just not set up like that for dispensing antibiotics though.

No, no antibiotics aren[t OTC in Spain.

I[m sorry, but to take slightly out of date antibiotics for an infected finger is the sensible option, IMO.

But each to her own. Appointments, waiting etc sometimes are the last resort.

Glad you are OK OP.

PurassicJark does have a point AdriftAbroard. Antibiotic resistance is a global problem but it can also manifest at an individual level. If you keep taking the same antibiotics for recurring UTIs that are controlling the infection but not completely wiping it out then you are literally selectively breeding a colony of amoxicillin resistant bacteria in your own urinary tract. Which really could cause you serious problems down the line.

Ah, does Spain do the same thing as France where they give you the whole box of medicine even when you’ve only been prescribed 3?
If OP truly couldn’t get actual medical advice, then yeah, taking the expired antibiotics would probably work and would probably not cause her harm. Probably. But I have no medical training and I doubt you do either so it would be irresponsible to tell her to just take the drugs without a proper medical opinion. Notice there are no (even self proclaimed) drs or pharmacists on this thread who’ve said ´yeah OP, go for it, it’ll be fine’. There’s a reason for that.
And so she persevered and got an appointment for today and hopefully it’ll be all sorted for her. Best outcome really.

@PeterpiperpickedapeckofpickledPEPPAS Sometimes even in the UK, people are prescribed antibiotics to keep at home so they can be started immediately if it's a recurring problem that's well understood. It is unusual, though! And different from 'hoarding' without permission.

That is just utterly stupid and irresponsible.

It wouldn't be useful if it was the wrong one for the wrong condition, and my guess is that you are not trained to know.

Thank you for your concern @PeterpiperpickedapeckofpickledPEPPAS but I last took an antibiotic around 7 years ago. You are very sweet.

I[m fine, I keep my DDs antibiotics when she is prescribed firstly soluable ones, then adult ones. I always like too have them in my drawer! Just me! She[s 14 now so ths isnt likely to happen much more!😏

Thank Christ I can buy HRT, my dinosaur male doctor wanted to give me AD[s at 43. Youre maybe too young to understand that can of worms!

Absolutely bang on right
there Peter😘

Yes, my Dad used to have these packs for use with infective exacerbations of his COPD. They were called rescue packs and were to be kept at home only for this purpose. They were not hoarded, just there if needed and with the hope of keeping him out of hospital for as long as possible.

People with no medical training simply hoarding antibiotics and then guessing at when to use them are irresponsible and silly.

Obviously not. But an infected finger or a sudden suspected UTI it is useful in the short term once every 5/10 years. It[s worked for me.

I've taken out of date antibiotics and they were fine and did their job.

@Topseyt123 That's very similar to my situation, not with COPD but related issues. It's good to be able to begin the treatment fast.

I think you[ve misunderstood hoarding for a mum term of a packet of antibiotics!😂NOT a roomful! @Topseyt123

@PurassicJark

Jeez!! Why so judgy??

I had two covid jabs. Both made my arm swell up. I had a third jab. Nurse told me to ring surgery if I had another reaction. I did have another reaction so I rang the surgery.

GP, bizarrely, said I had an infection from the needle. I didn't think I did, since it had happened all three times - but it was a Friday and I told her I'd pick up the prescription and would take them if it got worse over the weekend.

It didn't. Just like the other two times it got better by itself.

I don't like taking antibiotics unnecessarily for the exact reasons that you've pointed out so I don't know why you've decided I sound stupid.

I haven't hoarded antibiotics. I haven't taken half a course. I had them unopened in a drawer. I researched what antibiotics would be given for paronychia and it said flucloxicillin - the ones I had left over. So I simply asked if they'd be ok to take given they were out of date.

No need for judgemental passive aggressive responses!!

I'm glad you're ok OP. I'm late to the party, but people panicking about antibiotics 6 month after expiry date should really get a grip.

Go to the walk in centre, don't just take them. Also, why do you have them lying around anyway? It sounds like you didn't take a full course when they were prescribed - I assume you know how stupid that is?

@LindaEllen

Perhaps you should read all my responses before calling me stupid.

I clearly state, several times why I had a (full) course of antibiotics 'lying around'.

This^ 100%

What are you talking about? If antibiotics are prescribed you should take them to get rid of the infection they have been prescribed for, completing the course. What “chance” do you have to hours them?

@Oneearringlost

@QueenOfHiraeth was right. That's exactly what he gave me.

Sort of wish I'd just taken them last night now! Another sleepless night with throbbing finger.

Hopefully they'll kick in quite quickly. I can get a full day in today 🤞🏻

I have an infected foot thanks to the cat kicking out at me and gushing my instep quite badly.

I got a link from the surgery to send photos and got a phone call from the doctor about an hour later who had forwarded a prescription for antibiotics to the pharmacy.

Quicker than trying to get an appointment.

Good luck What is. Sometimes the antibiotics don't reach the deep tissues if it is an entrenched infection.
Just bear in mind that if it continues to throb, you may need to get it lanced. The relief will be immediate if it need this. Stoll continue the Flucloxicillin.

@Coastalcreeksider

Yes, that's what I had to do. Rang at 8, had a call back at 9, sent off a photo then collected prescription at 10. Can't complain at that!

Just hope they kick in quickly!!!