Both prescription and over-the-counter medications require an expiration date. This date reflects how long the manufacturer guarantees the safety and efficacy of the drug if stored properly. While many people believe it’s safe to take medications well past their expiration, taking expired medications can be risky and is generally not recommended.
According to the FDA, taking expired medications can be risky. Once past the expiration date, drugs may not be as potent (strong or effective) or may alter composition, meaning the ingredients break down and change over time.
Many people think that medications are still safe past their expiration, and some research confirms this. According to a 2023 study, most drugs expire two to three years after being made and many stay stable and potent to use months after they expire. However, the study also notes that these guidelines are not universal for all medications, especially those that treat serious health conditions.
Although not all medications are dangerous after they expire, there are potential risks. As a drug breaks down, it can lose its effectiveness for treating the intended condition.
Certain drugs can be harmful if they aren’t at full potency. Some can also give off toxic chemicals that can cause unintended side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
For example, less effective antibiotics can cause them to fail in treating infections, which can lead to antibiotic resistance or severe complications from infections. In some cases, changes in composition may cause a drug to give off toxic compounds, which can increase the risk of side effects.
There is evidence that many drugs retain 90% of their potency for at least five years after their expiration date. However, this may depend on several factors, including:
- Storage conditions: Proper storage, such as keeping drugs in dry, cool spaces away from light, can help extend their potency. On the other hand, storing medications in hot or humid spaces may cause potency to decrease faster.
- Type of medication: Liquid drugs, such as oral (taken by mouth) solutions and eye drops, are also not usually as stable as drugs in solid forms. This means liquid drugs may be more at risk of contamination after expiration compared to pills. For this reason, liquid drugs aren’t as long-lasting as solid form drugs.
- Intended use: Some medications, especially ones for serious health conditions, should not be taken after their expiration dates.
Avoid taking the following medications if they’re past their expiration date:
- Antibiotics, like tetracycline
- Nitrostat (nitroglycerin), a drug that helps relieve angina (chest pain)
- EpiPen (epinephrine), a drug for severe allergic reactions
- Insulin
- Blood thinners, such as Coumadin (warfarin) and Eliquis (apixaban)
If you’ve taken an expired medication and are still experiencing symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible. If you’re having an allergic reaction or chest pain, seek emergency care.
If you have expired medications, it’s important to dispose of them properly to prevent anyone from taking them by accident. The FDA recommends following any specific disposal instructions on the medication’s label. If there aren’t any, the preferred way to throw away expired medications is through a drug take-back location or a pre-paid drug mail-back envelope. Many retail, clinic, and hospital pharmacies, as well as police stations, have drug take-back programs.
If there aren’t specific disposal instructions and the drug is listed on the FDA’s flush list, you can flush the medication down the toilet. If it isn’t on the flush list, you can throw the drug away in your household trash by doing the following:
- Remove the drug from its original container.
- Mix the medication with an unappealing substance, such as dirt, coffee grounds, or cat litter.
- Put the mixture in a sealed container.
- Throw away the container in your household trash.
- Remove any personal information on the empty medication packaging and place it in the trash or recycling.
If you have any questions or concerns about the safe disposal of expired medications, ask your local pharmacist. A pharmacist is a health professional who has training in handling and distributing prescription medications.
An expiration date reflects how long the manufacturer guarantees the safety and efficacy of the drug. While there is some evidence that drugs retain their potency for years after their expiration date, the FDA states that taking expired drugs may be risky. This is because they may not be as potent as they normally are or may have a change in composition, which can make them less effective or increase your risk of side effects. Always consult your doctor before taking an expired medication.
