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How dangerous are expired medications?
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Information about the expiration date of medicines always means one thing: if the drug is expired, it should be thrown away. But American experts have noted that many expired medications continue to act even after the expiration date.
The shelf life of medicines can be 2-5 years from the date of production. However, pharmacists do not conduct studies on the effectiveness of drugs whose expiration date is 10, 15 or even forty years ago, as they consider it inappropriate.
That is, if a pharmaceutical company has confirmed the effect and safety of a medicine for three years from the date of release, then it is quite sufficient to include this period in the instructions - and the documents for the drug will be ready. However - what will happen to the medicine after the stated three years?
An experiment reported in Jama Internal Medicine found that eight drugs containing fifteen different active ingredients remained effective for decades after their expiration date.
This experiment took place under the auspices of the US government campaign to extend the term of storage of medicines. The goal of this campaign is to ensure the maximum possible storage of medicines for military and civilian needs in the event of a martial law.
Laboratory studies have confirmed that more than 90% of medications do not lose their properties even 15 years after the expiration date.
Could this mean that medications should not be thrown away even if the expiration date has passed?
If only it were that simple. There are quite a few factors that affect the quality of medicines: the conditions in which the medicine is stored, ambient temperature and humidity, the degree of penetration of solar radiation, etc.
It is unlikely that the majority of consumers store their medicines in the conditions provided in the warehouses of the American army. Given this and other factors, the American Food and Drug Administration appeals to ordinary consumers and insists: under no circumstances should expired medicines be used - the degree of risk is too great and unreasonably high.
Particular caution is required with such powerful medications as hormonal and antibacterial agents, insulin-containing drugs, and nitroglycerin.
In order for medications to remain effective and safe, they must be stored in the places recommended for storage in the instructions for a specific drug. It is important to regularly check the contents of your home and car first aid kit, check the expiration dates of all available medications. It is not recommended to store medications in the kitchen and bathroom - they are sometimes too hot and/or humid.
If it is recommended to store the medicine in a refrigerator, then a separate closed shelf or compartment should be allocated for this: medicines should not come into contact with food products, and also should not potentially fall into the hands of children.
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