Ribavirin expiry in October

[Doni81]

Just got all my medication today. Decided to start treatment next week though, bygetting interferon shot every Friday, and I am travelling this Saturday. I have only noticed that Ribavirin capsules that pharmacy gave me for 3 months have expiry of October 2014. If I start taking drugs on 15 August, it means 3 packs of Ribavirin will become expired during my treatment, as I will take them till November 15. Should I request pharmacy to change portion of packs?

[patra_]

D:  Did you call your specialty Pharmacy and ask for the pharmacist?  That is an excellent source of info.  My other thought is to call the manufacturer (Johnson & Johnson?) and ask them.

I had heard that meds were often given a shorter "effective date" than they truly have to make sure the are used at peak of strength, but that they are effective lomger.  I would not feel comfortable assuming that is true - would want more specific for this very important drug.

Good luck in getting our answer AND in getting to SVR.  Pat

[Doni81]

I will start taking it 15th Aug, 6 capsules daily. So until 15th Nov. They said October 2014 expiry means drugs are good till the END of October. So I told them they must exchange one of 6 boxes then, which I will use in first half of November.

[Livelife777]

Recheck.   I was only given the Riba in monthly increments.  They always thru in extra as well.  If that's not the solution, call the pharmacy and have them send a new batch.   I wouldn't forfeit those, til you have the new ones in hand.
My best thru Tx
...Kim

[flyinlynn]

Maybe it said no refills after Oct 2014? Just a thought.

But best bet would be to ask the pharmacy.

good luck on treatment
Lynn

[Idyllic]

What dose of Riba are you on? Are you sure you won't have taken the first batch before they expire? I took five tablets a day (1000 mg) and mine came in a quantity of 140 and even still one bottle did not last long.

Having said all that my last day of treatment was Dec of 2012 and I still had some Riba left and I just checked the label it said to discard in Dec 2013. In other words a year from the date of prescription.

Depending on how your dose works out you might be OK the first time around but if it were me I would call the pharmacy. Either way, just based on what you said this does not sound right. The meds might actually be OK but I personally would be uneasy about taking them - until I straightened things out with the pharmacy, that is.