Expired Medication Safe or Not?

[~AngelofLove~]

I injured my shoulder Wednesday night and was prescribed a muscle relaxer.. Only I can't afford my medication, I did find an old bottle of a muscle relaxer that was prescribed in April of 2014. Is it safe to take? would it be effective? I'm in agony...

[tiptoes]

It depends when the best before date is and if it has been stored as recommended. If it is not in date or doesn't have a best before date don't take it.

Getting fresh medication would be the best solution, would there be any cheaper medication you could be prescribed?

[Bellatrix]

If it's out of date don't take it. I took out of date beta blockers once, it wasn't fun.

[Pi.R^2]

As others have said, if it is past its use-by date then don't use it.
I notice you are in the US- is there any financial aid available to people who may be unable to afford prescriptions?

[Eir]

Probably a question to pose to a pharmacist. Some medications become toxic when out of date, others just less effective or ineffective. (personally, I have used asthma inhalers up to 4 years out of date, they were just less effective. Although, I don't know if they became toxic. So probably pretty dumb thinking on it, but at the time, no ill effects)
It's not worth the risk unless you have accurate information, if you're desparate, call a pharmacist and give details of the medication, they should be able to tell you if it would be toxic at least. Otherwise see a GP and get new ones