Why is it dangerous to take out of date antibiotics?

[saintjohnny]

I have a chest infection that is driving me up the wall! I have some old antibiotics that expired Feb '07. I'm tempted to take them to get rid of the infection, but obviously I don't want to damage myself! Can anyone tell me what the actual risks are? Info is surprisingly thin on the web.

[red~bez]

What where the old antibotics for johnny?

[Coobeastie]

The expiry date relates to the drugs affectiveness (this lessens the further you get from the date of manufacture). Don't suppose they would hurt you but will probably not cure you either. Best to go to your doctor and get a new prescription

[Veronica_007]

Not worth taking them - they may be the wrong type of antibiotics for your chest infection, pop to a doctor and get some new ones.

[ethandron]

and make sure you complete the course if the doctor does prescribe antibiotics. that way you stand the best chance of getting properly better, and you won't have any out-of-date leftovers to worry about in the future!

[Cockney_si]

Have you tried asking the doctor what's wrong with you first.

it could be you have something that antibiotics won't touch.

[saintjohnny]

Thanks for the advice all. There is no point in visiting the doctor - it takes about 3 days before you can be seen here in London, and besides, I know what the problem is. The antibiotics are for a similar problem I had before. I am susceptible to chest infections - I always seem to get one when I have a cold, but I find a couple of days worth of penicillin kills it for months. Anyhow, I have decided to take the things and see what happens.