Is It Dangerous to Use Expired Prescription Medicines?

We all use medicines at some point in time. However, their expiration date is a critical part of deciding if it is safe to use and will work as intended. Expired medicines pose risks – especially for lifesaving

drugs like insulin and EpiPens - where loss of potency becomes a critical concern. Even though many non-essential medications may perform well past expiration, it is best to consult your doctor. The expiration date can be found printed on the label or stamped onto the bottle or carton, sometimes following “EXP.” It is important to know and stick to the expiration date on your medicine. Using expired medicines is risky and possibly harmful to your health.

Expired medicines can be risky

Expired medication can be less effective or risky due to a change in chemical composition or a decrease in strength. According to experts, a few medications are at a high risk of bacterial growth and sub-potent antibiotics that fail to treat infections. These lead 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. Make sure to always speak with your doctor regarding the concerns that you have over the safety of your medication, as they can determine the risk behind expired drugs and let you know whether the expired drug you are considering is worth the risk.

Which expired drugs can be dangerous?

A few expired drugs that can be dangerous include:

• Nitrostat, which is used to treat angina or chest pain, is also used to treat heart attacks.
• Insulin breaks down quickly after the expiration date, making it less effective. It can also cause hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels, and other deadly complications
• EpiPen is used to stop allergic reactions that may be life-threatening, such as anaphylaxis. It quickly breaks down after expiring and may be unable to prevent allergic reactions.
• Liquid antibiotics can become contaminated with bacteria after they expire.
• Expired eye drops can become contaminated and lead to infections.
• Birth control medication is less effective once its expiration date passes, leading to unwanted pregnancies and breakthrough bleeding and spotting.

Best ways to dispose of expired medication

The best and safest way to dispose of expired and unneeded medication is to bring it to a drug take-back location. Many hospitals and clinics, along with community pharmacies, offer drop boxes where you can drop off expired medications. Instead of throwing medication in the trash, crush and mix it with used coffee grounds, kitty litter, sawdust, dirt, or flour. This step keeps medications from being accidentally ingested by children or pets. Never flush unwanted medicines down the toilet or pour them down the drain, as it causes environmental issues. Even if only some of the drug is removed during water treatment, it can end up in the water supply, raising the chances of contamination.