When Good Meds Go Bad: What You Need to Know About Medication Expiration Dates

Drug expiration dates are used to show how long that drug will maintain its maximum potency. As long as 15 years after their date of expiration, 90 percent of drugs were found to be safe, according to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide. This does not mean you should go running around popping expired pills, because tetracycline for example is not safe after it expires. Your best bet is to talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking an expired medication. Also, knowing what happens to medications past their expiration date will help you make better decisions.

Chemical Composition Changes

Over time, medications may change in odor, texture and color. Medications can also go through a chemical breakdown. This can have effects on your body that are unintended. While this is rare, this is not something you want to take a chance with. Chemical breakdown is more likely if the medication expired several years ago.

Potency Loss

Some medications will lose their potency as time passes past their expiration date. This will make them less effective in being able to treat your condition. Nitroglycerin and insulin are two good examples of drugs that start to lose potency after their expiration date.

Storage Matters

If you store your medications in a place that tends to be moist and warm, they will "expire" faster once they pass their expiration date. It is always best to keep your medications in a cool, dry place. Liquid medications especially need to be kept in a cool, dry place because they will degrade faster than solid medications.

Is My Medication Bad?

Sometimes you can tell my looking at the medications or smelling it. If your medication has a funny smell or smells differently than it normally does and is past its expiration date, you should refrain from taking it. If it has changed in color or texture, do not take it. In terms of liquid medications, look to see if the consistency has changed at all and if it has, do not used it.

If the expired medication you are on the fence about taking is one your life is dependent on, you should immediately call your pharmacist and doctor before taking it. Never take chances. Ask them about safety and the specific drug in question. They will be able to help you determine if the specific drug is safe beyond its expiration date.

Resources

Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide: Drug Expiration Dates '" Do They Mean Anything?