Alphatrak 2 test strips: how strict on expiration date?

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SullivansDad

SullivansDad

Member Since 2020
I have enough test strips to (presumably) last through this month and into next month and will be due for a full curve at the end of the first full week of March, however the expiration date on the vial is 3/2020. Does this mean they are good to use through the end of March? Or should I order more late this month (I'm worried about ordering too soon since these 3/2020 ones were just ordered in January!)? Thanks!
 
I don't know for sure if that means they're good until March or through the end of March. I would think they should be fine, but I can't say for sure. Perhaps try contacting the company? Where did you order your strips from? Mine always have an expiration date much farther out than a couple months. I think the ones I have now expire sometime in 2021.
 
Thanks. I will contact Zoetis. We ordered from ADW Diabetes. That is good to know about your expiration dates; I think we'll order from elsewhere next time to help make sure this doesn't happen again!
 
That's odd- ADW Diabetes is where I order from as well. Perhaps contact them as well about the close expiration date? I've been using them for about 6 months and have never had any that expire so quickly.
 
Contact ADW Diabetes and tell them you are disappointed with the expiration date on the test strips you recently purchased. See what they will do for you. A phone call may be better than an email.
 
Thanks, everyone! I haven't contacted Zoetis yet about whether they're good through March or UNTIL March, but ADW Diabetes was very accommodating (more so than I asked for).
 
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Good that you confirmed that with the manufacturer. Thought they would be good until the end of the month, but you can never tell.

MIL was a diabetic. She thought the date on the box of test strips was year and then month. It was the other way around. She had been using test strips that had expired 6 + months ago.

Even if the test strips are expired, if you are in a pinch, you can usually use test strips past the labeled expiration date. For a few weeks, not years. Not as accurate with BG readings, but if you run out of Alphatrak test strips, you can't run out to Wal-mart to pick up more. Good reason to have a backup glucometer and test strips, like the Relion line.

Best not to store test strips in the bathroom, or elsewhere there is high humidity. And make sure the cap on the top of the test strips is secured firmly after each use.
 
It's ridiculous that you got strips in Jan that are only good through March. So, I hope they were 'accommodating'! I have never had that happen. I have gotten strips from ADW but usually get them from Amazon (with VetRxMd, or sometimes ADW, being the actual seller).
 
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