[Diapason]

I wonder about Epipen. These are only “valid” for a year and are hellishly expensive. It would be nice if they didn’t have to be replaced annually.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

They are actually good until the liquid inside begins to change color or consistency.

But you want to keep a close eye on them. And I don't know if you can even see the liquid anymore.

[caddie]

Epinephrine is different. It visibly deteriorates. If you find an old vial or ampoule (as used in resuscitation), especially if exposed to light, you will see brown chunks in it.

The other drug that goes bad reliably is nitroglycerine in tablet form.

Angina patients can tell if it is potent when they take it.

The old pills don't work as well.

I welcome this kind of study, because homeless shelters and medical missions get drugs all the time that mainstream retailers are legally unable to sell because of the expiration date; nevertheless the mission workers would like to know if they are still actually potent and safe.

[43north]

“I wonder about Epipen.”

I’ve kept clear glass ampules of 1:1000 epinephrine in my emergency kit in the past. Not too long after the expiration dates they turned a nasty dark brown color. I didn’t have a way to test them so I tossed them. Epinephrine can be a critical life-saving drug that may mean the difference between life and death in an emergency.

Probably should dispose of expired Epi-pens too (which are one of the biggest rip-offs in the world. What would you expect from a pharmaceutical company run by a big-time hillary supporter?)

[Lurker]

“It would be nice if they didn’t have to be replaced annually.”

They don’t. As long as the liquid hasn’t turned dark they’re fine. If you read the fine print even the thieving manufacturer says so.

L

[UnwashedPeasant]

"I wonder about Epipen. These are only 'valid' for a year and are hellishly expensive. It would be nice if they didn’t have to be replaced annually."

That is referenced in the article:

One of the plastic boxes is piled with EpiPens — devices that automatically inject epinephrine to treat severe allergic reactions. They run almost $300 each. These are from emergency kits that are rarely used, which means they often expire. Berkowitz counts them, tossing each one with a clatter into a separate container, “… that’s 45, 46, 47 …” He finishes at 50. That’s almost $15,000 in wasted EpiPens alone.

In May, Cantrell and Gerona published a study that examined 40 EpiPens and EpiPen Jrs., a smaller version, that had been expired for between one and 50 months. The devices had been donated by consumers, which meant they could have been stored in conditions that would cause them to break down, like a car’s glove box or a steamy bathroom. The EpiPens also contain liquid medicine, which tends to be less stable than solid medications.

Testing showed 24 of the 40 expired devices contained at least 90 percent of their stated amount of epinephrine, enough to be considered as potent as when they were made. All of them contained at least 80 percent of their labeled concentration of medication. The takeaway? Even EpiPens stored in less than ideal conditions may last longer than their labels say they do, and if there’s no other option, an expired EpiPen may be better than nothing, Cantrell says.