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Friday, January 21, 2011 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Is expired medication safe? DEAR DR. GOTT: With our overall belt-tight- ening in this down economy and no Social Security increase going on two years now, I have a question many of your readers probably face. Can taking expired medica- tions make you sick or even poison you? To be more exact, I’m referring to hard-coated prescriptions, not the soft capsule forms that have been stored as directed in a cool, dry place and for which I still have the med- ical problem they were originally prescribed. I’m talking maybe one or two years past expiration and mostly prescribed for pain relief. DEAR READER: As a general rule, they will nei- ther make you sick nor will they poison you. Starting in 1979, labeling mandated that expiration dates be included on med- ication — both over-the- counter and prescription varieties. This require- ment only indicates the date a manufacturer guar- antees full potency and safety of that medication. It does not indicate how long a drug is either safe or effective. The FDA conducted one of the largest-known studies for the U.S. mili- tary 15 years ago, and it was subsequently reported in the Wall Street Journal in March 2000. The mili- tary stored $1 billion worth of drugs for a test program to determine whether it could extend the lifetime of its invento- ries, which had tradition- ally been updated every two to three years (at great expense and much effort with disposal). More than 100 drugs were tested, including OTCs and pre- scription meds. At the end of the test period, almost 90 percent of the drugs were found to be both safe and effective — 15 years after the posted expiration date. As of 2003, the FDA indicated they still did not garner sufficient evidence from the program, but from my perspective, the results speak for them- selves. There are a few exceptions, however — nitroglycerin, some liquid antibiotics, tetracyclines and insulin. Generally speaking, drugs degrade slowly, especially pain medication, and with these exceptions, most can be used successfully long after the expiration date. There are specific rec- ommendations for dispos- A Clean, Reliable, Trustworthy, Chimney Company... Possible? ”Their tarps are always clean and my home is always clean afterward. What I like best is their reliability and quality.” “I can trust them!” Dr. Evan Reasor Flue Season 527 3331 THE Chimney Professionals $55.00 in Discount Coupons were published last week in the D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY … And that does not Count all the ads offering percentage discounts, two-for-ones and Free-with-Purchase offers! Don’t miss a Day of it! Subscribe Today 527-2151 It pays for itself. Dr. Peter Gott al of any medica- tions you might wish to eliminate from your medi- cine chest. Check with your local hospital, pharma- cy, walk-in health facility or a phar- maceutical com- pany to determine whether they have a takeback pro- gram. If not, consider putting the drugs in a plas- tic bag. Crush them with a kitchen tool such as a meat tenderizer to break them apart. Add used cof- fee grounds or kitty litter to the bag. Place the con- tents in a can or container, and dispose of them in the trash — not down the toi- let. Should we consider the expiration process a phar- maceutical manufacturing stroke of genius to get people to update their medications earlier than is necessary? If so, is it all because this means more money in the old corpo- rate pocket? Do their mar- keting people really feel it is necessary to periodical- ly update the packaging that may have the same ingredients as the old label did? Is there a justifi- able reason to clean out the medicine chest on an annual basis and check expiration dates as we do on that quart of milk in the refrigerator? We can all ponder the process over dinner tonight. It will cer- tainly beat watching those commercials regarding constipation and diarrhea that invade dinnertime TV programs. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Consumer Tips on Medicine.” Other read- ers who would like a copy should send a self- addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order made payable to Newsletter and mailed to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my web- site at www.AskDr- GottMD.com. Miserly moochers miff mother Dear Annie: I have been in a relationship with a wonderful man for four years. Six months ago, we were blessed with a little boy who has become our world. The problem is, ‘‘Greg’’ is constantly going out of his way for his family. Recently, his sister was in a car accident, and her hus- band refused to give her the money to pay the deductible for repairs, so Greg gave her his car to use. This has left us in a rough spot. I work from home but still need to run occasional errands, and Greg now uses my car. The only solution is for me to drive him to and from his job, which is a huge inconvenience. I don’t see why I have to do that for his sister’s sake. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar nitely, she will make no effort to repair hers. You also could tell him that it was his choice to give up his car, and now he can take the bus. But we caution you not to make this a greater prob- lem than it is. Greg sounds generous to a fault, but we assume that is one of the reasons you love him. Dear Annie: My hus- band and I hosted our son’s wedding at our large home. We worked hard to be sure everything was exactly as the cou- ple wanted. When I talk to Greg about this, all I get is an argument. I under- stand he loves his family and wants to help, but it’s always one thing after another, and I’m at my wits’ end. How can I help him understand that it’s time to let them handle their own problems? I’m tired of feeling like my son and I are on the back burner. — Burning Up in Vermont Dear Vermont: Greg wants to be the hero, the one everyone relies on. To him, your ‘‘inconvenience’’ at not having a car is outranked by his sister’s ‘‘need.’’ Try to make Greg realize that too much help can cripple someone — if his sister knows she can have his car indefi- Thanks to a $500 grant from the Walmart Foun- dation, the students at Lincoln Street School will soon have electronic books at their fingertips. eReaders have become increasingly popular over the past couple of years and now schools are see- ing a benefit to giving their students access to more books they can read outside the classroom – many of which are avail- able free in digital format. Tools such as these fit perfectly into Lincoln Street School’s model, which uses innovative teaching techniques to provide flexible yet rigor- ous instruction. “We’re really excited to pilot the eReaders and so thankful for the sup- port of the Walmart Foun- dation,” said Chris Byrd, lead teacher. “It is because of community So what went wrong? We were not included in any preliminary plans — where the tent and portable bathrooms would go, where the caterer would set up, when the rehearsal dinner would be. I knew the bridesmaids would dress at our house, but they also brought their friends along. The morning of the wedding, the groomsmen unexpect- edly showed up to change here, as well. These people treated our home as if it were a luxury hotel with a full-time maid. Furniture was rearranged for pictures, and water bottles were tossed hither and yon. We had a catered brunch for out-of- town guests the next morning. Imagine my surprise when I discov- ered there were 60 guests instead of the 30 I had invited. Several weeks after the wedding, there was a view- ing party to look at pictures, and we were not invited. Just a word of advice to any bride and groom: Please do not take the parents’ giving for granted. We are happy for you, but remember to say ‘‘thank you.’’ That, and some hugs and kisses, will do wonders. — Parents of the Groom Dear Parents: It’s unfortunate that many young people have no idea of the sacrifice, effort and money involved in these endeavors. They are so wrapped up in their own world that it doesn’t occur to them to consult the parents or show their appreciation. Thanks for let- ting them know. Dear Annie: I read the letter from ‘‘Sensitive Soul in Canada,’’ whose father had a fight with his sister three years ago. The stress caused an ulcer and high blood pressure. It reminded me of a quote: ‘‘Resentment is like drinking poi- son and waiting for the other person to die.’’ That about sums it up. — South Dakota Dear S.D.: We’ve printed that quote before. We find it accurate, as well as amusing, and it should be attributed to actress and author Car- rie Fisher. Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Foundation funds technology in the classroom Courtesy photo Lincoln Street School students display appreciation for a $500 grant from the Walmart Foundation. partners such as this one that our school is able to pilot new programs and technologies to see what works for our students. We’re looking forward to getting the new tools loaded with books and into the hands of our stu- dents.” For more information on Lincoln Street School, a California Exemplary Independent Study Pro- gram, visit www.teham- aschools.org. Dr. Andrew PomazalD.O. Physician & Surgeon General Medicine Saturday Appointments Available • High Blood Pressure • Diabetes • Joint & Muscle Pain • Lung Problems We offer Osteopathic Manipulation *NOW OPEN* Bareroot Trees and Berries are in! Time to plant 1 1/2 miles South of Red Bluff 12645 Hwy 99E (530) 529-2546 D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY THE VOICE OF TEHAMA COUNT Y SINCE 1885 ONLINE E-EDITION IS REGISTER NOW! Sign up by February 1, 2011 and avoid any future charges for e-edition access as long as you are a home delivery subscriber. 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