Do Prescription Drug Expiration Dates Matter?

Many people follow the expiration dates for food, but they may not think about the expiration dates on their medicines. They may wonder if the medication expires/have a generic version or not, how long it will take medicine after the expiration date? Here is some information from experts about the expiration of prescriptions. Always consult with your doctor about your unique situation.

Determining expiration dates

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires drug manufacturers to set an expiration date for the products. It is the date at which you can guarantee safety and full potency. According to Harvard Health Publishing, drug manufacturers help determine a date by testing the stability of medication past a certain amount of time, usually two to three years.

Is it safe to take medicines past their expiration date

Always consult with your pharmacist or doctor about whether it is safe to take expired medication. In some cases, you can use it as long as there are no signs of getting spoiled. Make sure the medication is not:

1. Giving off a strange odor

2. Discolored

3. Dried up

4. Crumbling

5. Powdery

These are all signs that it has gone bad and is no longer safer to take. The FDA advises consumers to never forget to replace the medication.

Solution if you forgot to replace Rx card

If you forgot to replace the prescription and if your only option is to use an expired one, ask your pharmacist or doctor if it is safer to take. They will weigh the risks of not treating your condition for few days against the risk if your medication will have the same potency.

If the prescription appears degraded in any way, it is better that you do not use it. Instead, you must contact your doctor to see if you can ask your pharmacist or get a new prescription for an emergency supply. You can download free prescription drug discount card.

Is it safe to take medication after the expiration date?

There is no definite time length that you can take a medication past the expiration date. Even though it is best to throw out the medication, you can always ask your primary care provider before taking an expired medication.

Few types of medications expire faster than others

The type of medication is one of the essential factors when it comes to the expiration date. The FDA warns about some medications being at risk for bacterial growth once they go past the expiration date. The FDA also gives warning that the expired antibiotics may fail to treat the bacterial infection and may lead to more severe antibiotic resistance or illness. Never put yourself at the risk by using expired medicines. At WiseRX, our mission is to help you save on your medications – up to 80% in few cases. We also offer discounts at thousands of pharmacies across the US. Download WiseRX, the best pharmacy discount card if you want to start saving.