Expired Voltaren Eye Drops

Hello,

I have an unopened bottle of voltaren eye drops with an expiry date of October 2010.   I just ran out of the Voltaren I am using and have a new prescription to get some more and don't have the money at this time to fill it.  Would it be safe to use this unopened bottle as I have read that most medications are really good for 5 years after expiry and drug companies just put the expiry dates on so people will throw them away.  I had my cataract surgery January 2011 so it is completely healed but I still have inflammation so I need to keep taking Voltaren eye drops.

Thank you

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

I can't recommend anything that's been expired for more than six months.  The medication could have deteriorated so that it is not as effective as an unexpired bottle.  That being said, I'm not sure if it would harm you to try using it.  Call the prescribing physician and see if they have a sample bottle of the same thing or something similar you may be able to pick up from them so you don't have to pay for a new bottle.

HV