A Healthier Talk reader recently wrote me to ask if I could settle an argument he’s been having with his wife for years about expiration dates. I’ll call him Jay.
Jay’s wife insists that products and medications in their medicine cabinet are perfectly fine to use past the expiration dates. She thinks throwing them away is like tossing money into the trash.
But Jay argues that the expiration dates are there for a reason. He believes using expired meds can be dangerous. And you need to throw them out immediately.
So who’s right? Well, I’m not sure I can settle their argument entirely today. Because the truth is, BOTH Jay and his wife are right to a certain degree.
It can depend on the products or medications in question, how long past the expiration dates they are, and even how they’re being stored.
So let’s take a closer look.
The confusing truth about expiration dates
The FDA wants you to believe there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. They side with Jay on this one. If a medicine is expired, don’t use it.
According to the FDA, it’s essential to stick to the expiration dates… at least when it comes to prescription and over-the-counter medications. They point out that expired products can be less effective or pose risks because of drops in strength or changes in chemical composition.
So argument settled, right? Jay wins.
Well, not so fast. The truth is nowhere near as straightforward as that makes it sound. In fact, there’s also research that makes it look like Jay’s wife might be onto something. At least in some cases.
Even the American Medical Association has questioned whether expiration dates are WAY underestimating the shelf life of drugs. The US Air Force had that same question way back in 1985. They were regularly being forced to trash tons of products. And it was costing them (well, really us) a boatload of money.
A study concluded that most medications were good nearly three years BEYOND their expiration dates. And ninety percent of the 100 drugs tested were perfectly fine to use even 15 years later.
Other research over the years has backed up those findings. For example, a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine and a review in 2019 of all the existing research on the topic reached similar conclusions.
“It depends” is the bottom line
So Jay’s wife wins, right? Well, once again, the answer is not so simple.
Many products and medications indeed remain stable and perfectly safe long after their expiration dates. And while some may lose a bit of potency over time, much of their effectiveness can remain even a decade later.
But there are some exceptions to the rule. To start with, HOW you store your over-the-counter and prescription medications matters.
Some products come with specific storage instructions. For instance, certain drugs, such as insulin, need to be kept in the refrigerator. These types of meds typically have a much shorter shelf life to start with, and once their expiration dates have passed, it’s best to dispose of them.
Other drugs can’t be exposed to high temperatures. And most medicines are best kept in a cool, dry place which will extend shelf life. This, ironically, makes the hot and damp location of the bathroom medicine cabinet one of the worst spots to keep them. A kitchen cabinet, dresser drawer, or a storage box in the closet are better choices.
Use common sense with expiration dates
Stability testing has pinpointed certain drugs that DON’T appear to be as stable as others. Those that can show some signs of physical decay after their expiration dates include…
- insulin
- liquid antibiotics
- nitroglycerin
- aspirin
- Epi-pens
In general, it’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to following the expiration dates on any drugs used to treat serious medical conditions. In other words, if you need the medication to be 100 percent effective, don’t risk it.
For example, a heart rhythm medication or blood sugar-regulating drug should never be used well past its use-by date unless instructed by your doctor. On the other hand, a modest extension on expiration dates is likely reasonable for something like allergy drugs or over-the-counter pain relievers.
Use common sense when deciding what products you’d be willing to use if the expiration dates have recently passed. And always check with your doctor or pharmacist first either way.
The bottom line is whether you’re a Jay or Jay’s wife type, you’re right… at least part of the time.
But expiration dates aren’t the only thing you need to worry about when it comes to drugs. Check out these five additional medication tips that could help save your life.
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