Have you ever wondered what would happen to you if you consumed drugs that are expired? Many people are unaware that drugs even have expiration dates… Are there some drugs that should never be used past the “beyond-use” dates?

What does the term “expired” mean ?
The term “expired” is defined as something that has come to its end. Popular expressions such as an expired driver license, passport, or even food, signify that replacements are in order or that there may be consequences. In general, drugs’ expiration date is from 2 to 5 years after the production date.

It is safe to take expired drugs ?
There isn’t any specific report that tell than it is toxic for the human body to take expired medications. The only report of human toxicity that might have been caused by taking expired medication is renal tubular damage that was associated with use of degraded tetracycline. Since then, this formula of tetracycline has changed and is no longer used in North America.

Also, according to emedexpert.com, drug’s potency begins to reduce from the moment it is manufactured; it’s not in anyway spontaneous after the expiry date.

What are the consequences of taking expired drugs ?
Expired medications may not adequately treat minor conditions (for example, minor headache, cold), or serious conditions (for example, diabetes or heart disease) because of reduced efficacy. As a consequence, inadequate relief from sickness could eventually lead to longer sick days, increased absences from work/school, and lost productivity at work/school.  At the time of the medication expiration date, the drug must be at least 90% of its original potency under proper storage conditions.

However, are there any drugs you should never use past their expiration date?
According to emedexpert.com, certain medications have a narrow therapeutic index and little decreases in the pharmacological activity can result in severe consequences for patients.

Observing the expiration date is obligatory for the following medications:
-Eye drops – eyes are particularly sensitive to any bacteria that might grow in a solution once a preservation degrades.
-Anticonvulsants – narrow therapeutic index
-Dilantin, phenobarbital – very quickly lose potency
-Nitroglycerin – very quickly lose potency (should be replaced every six months)
-Warfarin – narrow therapeutic index
-Procan SR – sustained release procainamide
-Theophylline – very quickly lose potency
-Digoxin – narrow therapeutic index
-Thyroid preparations
-Paraldehyde
-Oral contraceptives
-Epinephrine – very quickly lose potency
-Insulin – very quickly lose potency

In conclusion, make sure to have a look over your drug cabinet once in a while and if any of your medications are past the expiration date, bring them back to your local drug store so that they don’t end up in the environment.