What happens if I take Augmentin past its expiring date

[AndreiV]

I got a really bad tooth infection last Friday night and, because my fever went up, I called my doctor and I was told to take Augmentin.
I had some that my wife was prescribed a few months ago but she couldn't take it (because of nausea).
So I stared taking it. The problem is that it is packaged in 2 separate protective covers and it says on them not to use the antibiotic 30 days after the protective cover was opened. One of the covers was obviously opened (when my wife took it).
So is there a problem if I used that opened pack? I noticed the warning only today, when I opened the second protective cover...
The expiry date on the box is 11/2018, so the meds in protective cover are certainly good...

[specialmom]

Hm.  Are they samples from the doctors office or is it a prescription?  In general, the truth is, drugs past their expired date are probably just fine but they don't ever test that so they set an expiration date and be done with it.  At most, it may lose some efficacy but doubtful.  However, you shouldn't take someone else's prescription and a partial script.  That's not EVER wise or recommended.  What you took won't hurt you, however, you need a full course of antibiotics and your own prescription that you take.  The right dose, the right amount is all important for eradicating whatever bug you have.  So, call the doc and get your own script rolling.  good luck