I suffer from neuropathy in which my doctor prescribed lidoderm 5% patch. he prescribed this five years ago, the expiration date is 2010. would this be efficacious, as i cannot afford a new script?

Safe, but: Most medications are both safe and effective long after their expiration date. It is very unlikely that there is any danger of applying a patch that is even 5 years old but it may well have lost some of its effectiveness and the time release mechanism may not be as precise. I'd suggest a different rx.

NEUROPATHY LIDOCAINE: I DO NOT THINK THE EXPIRED LIDOCAINE PATCH WOULD HARM YOU IN ANY WAY. WORTH A TRY . . .

See of details: It is unlikely to be effective 5 years after its expiration date.

You can use it is th: You can use it but it may not be as potent. It may lose it may lose some of its potency. I doubt it is unsafe but it may not be as effective. There are some generic lidocaine rubs that are a lot less expensive Ask you physician or even your pharmacist what they have. One problem is that generic medications are never tested in patients before they come to market! Thus that is why they don't work!