I've taken it when it has expired in the form of eye drops when I was desperately awaiting to get in the doctor. By Carolyn Crist. And what for? Try searching for what you seek or The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. some 2 years, some 3 years, etc. While I won't pretend to be a doctor, I feel confident enough from experience to say that taking almost any expired drug is not any more dangerous than one fresh from the pharmacy. Expiry dates are set very conservatively. Expired drugs may remain effective, safe to use in a pinch. Based on tests performed by the department of defense, the loss of effectiveness of pill form steroids is extremely slow. Just wanted your advice on this, trying to make the best of a bad situation. Please get a new script from the doc and stay safe.I really need my prednisone. I’m answering this as a manufacturer of such some pharma product. Most Drugs Are Still Safe To Use Years After Their Expiration Date : Shots - Health News Hospitals and pharmacies are required to toss expired drugs, … Usually they are set for at least six months before they begin to weaken. I have an old script for prednisone 20mg date filled was 06/20/2014 it is now 9/13/17 is it safe? Leaving the illness untreated could lead to serious complications. It would be best to use medication that is within the expiration date, but I don't think there is any harm with medications taken shortly after expiration. If the food was stored properly as indicated on the package, the food is good to eat quite long after the expiration date. Have you ever wonder why the same drugs made by different companies have different expiration period? Old meds should be disposed of properly. Maybe you could explain your lack of insurance and that would help. Check with a doc first.By the way, prednisone is very cheap even without insurance. Chances of taking a drug that has become harmful, toxic and deadly due to going beyond the expiry date is extremely low.When providing medications for missionaries in other countries we were told that US medications can be used to up to one year I agree. How old is the pred? Medications don't go bad overnight. Still looking for answers? How old is the Pred? However, drugs are not like food - it doesn't go moldy, spoil and poison you just because it's beyond the expiration date. I know in an emergency I took some expired Pred once, but....I also just took it until I could get into the doc. Do you have an old doc, you could call and ask maybe to have some Pred called in for you? 5 Min Read ... when they were returned because they had passed their expiration date, the authors add. Ex. About 98% - 99% simply weaken over time and become less effective. Example: The person may take a long expired drug and only get 20 % effectiveness. It may, however, be less effective, but that depends on how it's been stored. Check with your pharmacist what programs or policies are in your area.The others have said it well. How expired? As long as the drug is properly stored it has a life expectancy of over 15 years. Select one or more newsletters to continue. And I also agree with Nanners—if you can't get the flare under control quickly, you're going to have see a doc. The general rule of thumb is 1 year, but your pharmacist will know for sure. That's a tough situation. I think you should call your pharmacist and verify the expiration and the risks if you take it. Hugs! But please if you need Prednisone contact your doctor and either … If it's over 6 months I would not suggest it.Actually almost no drug becomes toxic, harmful or deadly past their expiry date. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information - I wouldn't eat canned tuna that was 3 years beyond its expiration date, but I wouldn't hesitate to take a drug that old if it was all I had available and I needed it. And if they are properly stored will still be quite effective for even a year or two years past the “expiry” date. Asked 17 Sep 2017 by C711 Updated 18 September 2017 Topics aspiration pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, prednisone, inflammatory conditions, mixed connective tissue disease. Available for Android and iOS devices.