[mackenzie88]

My local pharmacy filled my prescription on July 14, 2007, the envelope that held the birth control said it expired 09/2009. However the actual piece that holds the tablets (like this) said it expired 01/2007. After reading many articles on expired birth control it seems like a toss up as to if it's still effective, the potency depends on how long past the expiration date (7 months in this case) and the moisture/heat conditions. I didn't catch the second expiration date until taking my fifteenth pill so my worry is that I may be pregnant because this was my first package of birth control...

I was told by my OB/GYN that your body needed up to seven days to adjust to the hormones and then it was safe for me and my long-term boyfriend to have unprotected sex. Just to be safe I waited until after I took my ninth dose. Basically, I may be involuntarily pregnant due to my local pharmacy's negligence. I will not know for sure for several weeks, but if I am what would be the correct way of dealing with this? What would YOU do? Thanks in advance.

[froggy7]

Well... first, I'd say that it's probably not the pharmacy's fault. Was the outer packaging sealed? If it was, then they have no way of knowing what was on the inside.

Second, take this to the manufacturer. There's probably a customer service number on the package. If not, you have the company name... look them up on-line and talk to their customer service department. There is a distinct possibility that one of those dates was simply printed wrong, but maybe not. And it could affect a whole bunch of other people, if the entire lot is mislabeled. They need to know about this, so that they can take steps to remove the product from the market if it's necessary. And they are the ones who should be compensating you for any potential problems.

[jrb252000]

You should be fine but even when taking the pill properly you still have a chance of getting pregnant.

[mackenzie88]

Well... first, I'd say that it's probably not the pharmacy's fault. Was the outer packaging sealed? If it was, then they have no way of knowing what was on the inside.

Second, take this to the manufacturer. There's probably a customer service number on the package. If not, you have the company name... look them up on-line and talk to their customer service department. There is a distinct possibility that one of those dates was simply printed wrong, but maybe not. And it could affect a whole bunch of other people, if the entire lot is mislabeled. They need to know about this, so that they can take steps to remove the product from the market if it's necessary. And they are the ones who should be compensating you for any potential problems.

The birth control was not sealed whatsoever, it was just a lose blue envelope that holds in the package of tablets. You can simply slide it out to take the pills. The back side of the medication where I found the second expiration date has information (two barcodes and other writing) on the back so I would think the pharmacy would've checked at some point. I have attempted to contact the manufacturer, Barr Labs but they are only open M-F. I plan on calling my doctor, the manufacturer and pharmacy tomorrow but I am just confused with all of this. Thank you.

[jrb252000]

Did you try the Barr Labs website (I think this is the right one) Barr Pharmaceuticals Online Product Guide to see if they have any info that may set your mind at ease. Most pills should still be effective up to 5 months of there exp. Date (if stored in proper conditions).

[mackenzie88]

Did you try the Barr Labs website (I think this is the right one) Barr Pharmaceuticals Online Product Guide to see if they have any info that may set your mind at ease. Most pills should still be effective up to 5 months of there exp. date (if stored in proper conditions).

I have checked, the certain pill I am in Tri-Sprintec 28, they have little information on it, just the basics. When I picked up the pill it was more than five months old (and I don't know how the conditions were/are) and I wasn't able to start until July 22. :(

[jrb252000]

Sorry to say you are going to have to wait I don't know if the FDA could help you.

[froggy7]

Sorry to say you are going to have to wait I don't know if the FDA could help you.

Not in specific, no. (And I do work in this line of business, devices not drugs, so have some faith in my answers.) You can, if you feel like it, do a voluntary MEDWatch report. (MedWatch - Reporting by Consumers) However, the result of that will be that the FDA will turn around and send it to Barr, so if you are going to talk to Barr, they can do the report directly. But it's not like you can get someone from the FDA to go talk to Barr and report back to you.

When you do talk to Barr, make sure you have as much information as possible. Most important, in my opinion, would be the lot number(s) on the two labels (especially if they are different), where you got the prescription filled and when, and how long you have been taking the pills. They may have other questions, but that is what I would want to know off the bat.