There is a common debate and conflict regarding medication expiration dates, with various myths about understanding these dates, that may lead to the wastage of effective medications or the consumption of expired drugs that may cause harm. To overcome this issue, this essay clarifies what medication expiry dates indicate and when it is best to take them.
Medication Expiry Dates: Meaning (1)
Medication expiry dates reflect the period guaranteed by the manufacturer during which medications, including prescribed and over-the-counter drugs, remain effective and safe for their indicated uses when stored according to their labeled storage instructions.
These dates are determined after thorough stability testing, which is performed under specific conditions. Such tests provide accurate product characteristics that ensure the drug meets the standards and guidelines of strength, quality, and purity throughout its shelf-life.
After the labeled medication expiry dates, some effectiveness of the medication may still be retained; however, its potency, safety, and quality are not guaranteed. (2,3)
Myth 1: Medication Is Unsafe Immediately After Expiry
– Myth:
Some people claim that medications become instantly unsafe when they expire.
– Fact:
Medications may lose their potency over time. They may produce toxic compounds that may cause undesirable side effects; however, they don’t become instantly harmful after the expiry date. Many factors affect the safety of drugs, including the following:
- The type of medication and dosage form (solid, semisolid, or liquid).
- Whether the medication is stored properly.
- The packaging conditions of the medication.
Myth 2: Expired Medications Are Still Effective
– Myth:
Some reports claim that after the expiration date, drugs remain effective indefinitely.
– Fact:
It is risky to disregard the expiry date even if the medication is somewhat effective. The reduced efficacy may make the treatment less effective, and that is concerning especially for critical, life-saving conditions.
Myth 3: All Medications Have the Same Expiry Date
– Myth:
Some people believe expiration dates are standardized for all medications.
– Fact:
Different factors affect the shelf life of drugs, such as storage conditions and dosage forms, including tablets, liquids, and injectables. For examples:
- Solid antibiotic tablets, with appropriate storage conditions, can be safely used for at least one year after their expiry dates, particularly in cases of drug shortages. (4)
- Liquids and injections have shorter shelf lives.
Additional Facts
- Storing medications properly according to the labeled instructions can extend the drug’s shelf life and maintain its efficacy, usually in a cool, dry place. It is essential to keep medications away from sun exposure, high humidity, or heat. These factors can contribute to the degradation of the drug and loss of efficacy, even if it hasn’t expired yet.
- It is crucial to be aware of how to properly dispose of expired medications to ensure environmental safety and prevent harmful consequences. Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can lead to water contamination or may be reachable to children and pets.
References
- https://www.fda.gov/drugs/pharmaceutical-quality-resources/expiration-dates-questions-and-answers#:~:text=Drug%20expiration%20dates%20reflect%20the,to%20its%20labeled%20storage%20conditions.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7040264/
- https://www.propublica.org/article/the-myth-of-drug-expiration-dates
- https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Efficacy-of-Expired-Antibiotics%3A-A-Real-Debate-in-Davido-Michelon/1d4ffc2ba47c856f0b65368c410aed2c3e8a3198
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