GlucoGel short use by date. Back to my chemist?

[Austin Mini]

Today I picked up three bottles of GlucoGel 80g for use in a hypo. My old stock has just reached their use by date so I put in a request for three more. I was astounded when I returned home to see an expiry date of November 2016! Usually GlucoGel I keep for over three years before replacing. I have contacted the manufacturers and when I hear back its off to the chemist I go. If I continually request something then the surgery police will be onto me. If you use GlucoGel whats your expiry date? More than seven months I bet.

 

[Caroline]

It is a good idea to keep a check on the use by dates of anything you get. I think they are shortening the use by dates on things to stop shops keeping them for too long, which doesn't help us if it is not something we need to use on a regular basis.

 

[Northerner]

I think the glucogel I have expired in 2009 😱 Haven't bothered with it since diagnosis - is there any particular reason you feel the need to have it when there are much more palatable alternatives?

 

[Copepod]

There isn't much point taking Glucogel back to chemist, as they'll bin it, as they can't be sure how anything is stored after it leaves their premises. The best approach is to check use by dates before you leave the shop, as they could take them back then. Having said that, I think I'd be prepared to use Glucogel after its use by date, as long as packaging isn't damaged, as it's really only food in medicinal packaging. It's a bit like opening aa tin of beans or soup after its use by date.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

@Austin Mini instead of having very expensive glucose gel on prescription go into the chemist and buy a tube of liquid glucose, it can be found in the cake making dept of most supermarkets it's costs about £1 per tube.

 

[khskel]

If it's basically glucose it won't go off. One good thing sugar is good for - preserving

 

[AndBreathe]

Today I picked up three bottles of GlucoGel 80g for use in a hypo. My old stock has just reached their use by date so I put in a request for three more. I was astounded when I returned home to see an expiry date of November 2016! Usually GlucoGel I keep for over three years before replacing. I have contacted the manufacturers and when I hear back its off to the chemist I go. If I continually request something then the surgery police will be onto me. If you use GlucoGel whats your expiry date? More than seven months I bet.

Prefacing that I'm T2, not on meds and never knowingly had a hypo, but I'll comment anyway.

If it were me, I would be unconcerned about out of data glucose syrups - provided the packaging was undamaged and it was unopened.

Sugar is a common preservative, and things like home made jam lasts for an absolute age, without the need for further intervention.

 

[Vicsetter]

I just had to get a repeat prescription for my GTN spray after it went through the wash cycle with my trousers. The new one, which i collected last week, expires in July and was made 2 years ago!