RT Journal
A1 Cantrell L, Suchard JR, Wu A, Gerona RR
T1 STability of active ingredients in long-expired prescription medications
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 2012
FD November 26
VO 172
IS 21
SP 1685
OP 1687
DO 10.1001/archinternmed.2012.4501
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2012.4501
AB 
Debate exists regarding the relative potency of medications beyond their labeled expiration dates. Expired medications have not necessarily lost potency, since the expiration date is only an assurance that the labeled potency will last at least until that time.1 Clinical situations may arise in which expired drugs might be considered owing to lack of viable alternatives2 or financial concerns.3 Ongoing studies show that many medications retain their potency years after their initially labeled expiration dates.4 We sought to characterize the potency of some prescription medications that had expired decades ago.