Out of date pills

[tearinghair]

I've just found an almost-full container of Vitamin D supplement pills at the back of a drawer. The 'best before' date is April 2012. Is it sensible to take them or not?

[woofgang]

well they might not do you any harm, but probably not much good either. Personally I wouldn't bother.

[utepoot]

I don't think much about expiry dates (except involving fresh meat/fish), I think it's mostly a scam to make you throw stuff out and buy more. I asked my pharmacist once about taking out of date Paracetamol, and he said it "may" just affect the effectiveness, but it won't hurt you. I usually go by the one year rule with pills (after one year out of date they may not help anymore). (I wouldn't do this with liquid meds, though. Even I have to admit, they do lose potency more quickly.) I think you'd be fine to take vitamins. And "Best Before" means just that...not that they are "expired", just that they will be better if used before the date listed.

[tearinghair]

Many thanks both of you. I think perhaps as it's only a few months, and it won't do any harm, I will take them.

[yogasun]

They won't hurt you at all, some of the potency may be affected.
I used to work on vitamin level analysis and there's no problem in this instance in taking them.

[tearinghair]

Thank you yogasun, that's very helpful.