When do pills get old

Since a law was passed in , drug manufacturers are required to stamp an expiration date on their products. This is the date at which the manufacturer can still guarantee the full potency and safety of the drug.

Medical authorities state that expired medicine is safe to take, even those that expired years ago. It's true the effectiveness of a drug may decrease over time, but much of the original potency still remains even a decade after the expiration date. Excluding nitroglycerin, insulin, and liquid antibiotics, most medications are as long-lasting as the ones tested by the military.

Placing a medication in a cool place, such as a refrigerator, will help a drug remain potent for many years. Solid dosage forms, such as tablets and capsules, appear to be most stable past their expiration date. Drugs that exist in solution or as a reconstituted suspension, and that require refrigeration such as amoxicillin suspension , may not have the required potency if used when outdated.

Loss of potency can be a major health concern, especially when treating an infection with an antibiotic. In addition, antibiotic resistance may occur with sub-potent medications. Drugs that exist in solution, especially injectable drugs, should be discarded if the product forms a precipitant or looks cloudy or discolored. A study by Khanchandani on efficacy, safety concern and disposal practices followed for expired drug preparations among medical personnel, found that Ninety one percent subject responded correctly that the drug should be best stored in cool dry and dark places.

During the study they found out that majority consider expired drug use is not safe but Loel Dawis, expiration date chief said that with a handful of exception notably nitroglycerin, Insulin and Liquid antibiotic most drugs are probably as durable as the agency tested.

A study done by Simons on outdated EpiPen and EpiPen Jr auto injectors: past their prime, noted that, drugs differ in terms of their forms, dosage, and stability. Usually, drugs in liquid forms e. Medication's potency gradually decreases starting from the moment of its manufacture. This process is not in any way spontaneous after the expiry date. Expired drugs have not necessarily lost their potency and efficacy. The expiration date is only an assurance that the labeled potency will last at least until that date.

Even 10 years after the expiration date many pharmaceuticals retain a significant amount of their original potency. Solid dosage forms, such as tablets and capsules, are most stable past their expiration date. After the expiry date medicines may not be safe or as effective.

You should not take medicines after their expiry date. If you've had a medicine for a while, check the expiry date before using it.

You should also make sure that you've stored the medicine properly, as described on the packaging or leaflet. If your medicine looks, tastes or smells different to when you first got it, even if it's within the expiry date, take it to your pharmacist for advice.

The expiry date usually means that you should not take the medicine after the end of the month given. For example, if the expiry date is July , you should not take the medicine after 31 July If your medicine has a use by or use before date instead of an expiry date, this usually means that you should not take the medicine after the end of the previous month. Medicines are no exception. In , the U. Food and Drug Administration began requiring an expiration date on prescription and over-the counter medicines.

The expiration date is a critical part of deciding if the product is safe to use and will work as intended. Using expired medical products is risky and possibly harmful to your health.

Expired medical products can be less effective or risky due to a change in chemical composition or a decrease in strength. Certain expired medications are at risk of bacterial growth and sub-potent antibiotics can fail to treat infections, leading to more serious illnesses and antibiotic resistance. Once the expiration date has passed there is no guarantee that the medicine will be safe and effective.

If your medicine has expired, do not use it.