Can you take expired medication?

If your medicine cabinet is filled with expired drugs, it might be time for a refresh — especially before a cold or flu sends you searching for 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. However, the FDA does not require manufacturers to determine how long medications remain potent after their expiration date, Sepehrar says.

Will you have an adverse reaction and end up in the emergency roomif you take a couple of aspirin that are a month past the expiration? It's not likely. But as the saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry.

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 says.

She recommends following the storage instructions provided by the manufacturer or contacting your pharmacist for clarification. It's also essential to keep an eye on expiration dates, especially when you’re preparing to be away from home 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," Sepehrar says. "You don’t want to be left with expired medication when you need something safe and effective.”

Prescription vs. over-the-counter medications

While there’s a bit of wiggle room with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, an expired prescription drug could be potentially harmful or even fatal. This is especially true for medications taken to treat specific conditions, such as heart disease or mental illness.

“Guidance and recommendations remain the same across the board for all drugs,” Sepehrar says. She recommends getting a new prescription as soon as possible to avoid any risk due to changes 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 Drug Enforcment Administration-authorized collectors are available nearby, the FDA offers the 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 like 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 it unreadable.

The safest route is to properly dispose of any expired medication, Sepehrar says. Talk with your doctor about getting a refill and consider purchasing more OTC medications before you need them.

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