You may wonder: Could you still use them, or must they be trashed immediately?
Getty Images / Jeffrey Coolidge
My Medication Is Expired: Can I Still Take It?
Generally, drug manufacturers and the FDA donotrecommend taking medications after expiration.
Getty Images / Jeffrey Coolidge
These drugs are usually safe and effective for at least a year after expiration.
This means that the drug may stop working or not work as well after the expiration date.
In the case of lifesaving medications, this can be very serious or lead to highly undesirable consequences.
However, in this study, the tested drugs were in unopened containers that had been stored properly.
Storage Guidelines
Storing medications properly can help extend how long they remain safe and effective.
Most medications are best stored in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and harsh light.
Examples include a bedside table, dresser drawer, or kitchen cabinet.
Keep bottle caps tightly closed and always keep medications out of reach of children and pets.
Always ask your pharmacist any questions regarding the proper storage of your medications.
What Should I Do With Expired Medication?
The best and safest way todispose of expired or unneeded medicationis to bring it to a drug take-back location.
This may help keep your medications from being accidentally ingested by a child or pet.
Don’t flush unwanted medicines down the toilet or pour them down the drain.
This can lead to environmental problems.
The only exceptions to this rule are the medications listed on the FDA’sapproved flush list.
Summary
It is best practice to use medications before their expiration dates.
Doing this guarantees the medicine will still work at its total capacity.
Storing medications properly in dry places will also help extend the medication’s life and safety.
Drug products marketed in the United States typically expire 12 to 60 months after manufacture.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Expiration dating and stability testing for human drug products.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Expiration dates - questions and answers.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Don’t be tempted to use expired medications.
Pierson JC.Let’s put an expiration date on the current approach to drug expiration dates.J Am Acad Dermatol.
2019;166:222-235. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2019.01.016
DailyMed.Label: Zestril- lisinopril tablet.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Information regarding insulin storage and switching between products in an emergency.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.Don’t flush medicines down the drain.
