Is SMZ TMP Safe To Take Despite Being Expired?

Posted on Mon, 19 Mar 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 19 Mar 2018 Answered on

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 Last reviewed on

Question : I was prescribed SMZ/TMP DS 800-160 for infected boil on 3/10/15. One tab 2x per day. It upset my stomach so I asked for another RX but still have most of the SMZ/TMP available. I am getting what I believe is an abcess (spelling ?) under an infected tooth. I will go to immediate care tomorrow when I have a ride. But right now, I would like to get started on some form of antibiotic. Is it OK to take the SMZ/TMP, despite expire date? Will some benefit be gained? Should I take two? How about some ibuprofen for swelling?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

Ibuprofen for pain and swelling

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

It is not good to take SMZ/TMP for the infected abscess that you may have. Amoxycillin is better in such cases. Besides the one you have could be expired and it caused a stomach upset in the past.

So by any case you better take Ibuprofen for the pain and swelling and see a local doctor soon. I suggest not to take SMZ/TMP.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Suma Parinam, General & Family Physician

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar