Can you still take expired medication?

If your medicine cabinet is topped up with expired drugs, it might be time for a refresh – especially before a cold or flu sends you searching for instant relief.

“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends not using expired medications,” explains Yasmin Sepehrar, PharmD, a pharmacist at Sharp Rees-Stealy San Diego Pharmacy. “There is a potential risk that some medications may become toxic and harmful once they pass their expiration date.”

Generally, expiration dates for drugs are set for 12 to 60 months after production, but the FDA does not require manufacturers to determine how long medications remain potent after their expiration date, Sepehrar adds.

If you take a couple of aspirin that are a month past the expiration, will you have an adverse reaction and end up in the emergency room? Not likely, but as the old saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Sepehrar adds that the way you store your medicine may affect potency as well. “Moisture and direct sunlight can interact with the chemical compounds in your medication, potentially making it unsafe or ineffective.” Sepehrar recommends following the storage instructions provided by the manufacturer or calling your pharmacist for clarification.

She also stresses the importance of keeping an eye on expiration dates, especially when you’re preparing to be away for a while on a trip or vacation. “It’s best practice to make sure you have a consistent stock of medications on hand for unexpected illness. You don’t want to be left with expired medication when you need something safe and effective.”

Prescriptions vs. over the counter

While there’s a bit of wiggle room with over-the-counter meds, an expired prescription drug could be potentially harmful or even fatal to take if it is for something such as heart disease or mental illness.

“Guidance and recommendations remain the same across the board for all drugs,” Sepehrar says, emphasizing getting a new prescription as soon as possible to avoid any risk due to change in chemical composition.

For disposing of unwanted or expired medication, Sepehrar refers to the FDA’s guidance, which recommends finding the nearest drug take-back program or DEA-authorized collector.

If no medicine take-back programs or DEA-authorized collectors are available nearby, the FDA offers these three tips for disposing medication in your household trash:

• Mix medicine with an inedible substance such as dirt, kitty litter or used coffee grounds.

• Place the mixture in a separate container such as a sealed plastic container or bag.

• Scratch, tear or scribble over all personal information on the prescription label of empty pill bottles or medicine packaging to make unreadable.

Sepehrar emphasizes that the safest route is to properly dispose of any expired medication and get a refill or purchase more when you need it.

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