Should You Take Expired Medication?
No, you should not take expired medications—current guidelines from ASCO/NCODA and the FDA do not recommend using medications past their expiration date, and proper disposal of expired drugs is the standard of care. 1
Why Expiration Dates Matter
The expiration date on medications represents the manufacturer's guarantee that the drug maintains its full potency, safety, and quality up to that point when stored properly. 2 After this date:
- Chemical stability cannot be guaranteed - medications may degrade and lose potency 2
- Safety profiles may change - degradation products could potentially be harmful 2
- Efficacy is no longer assured - the medication may not work as intended 2
Current Professional Standards
Healthcare facilities and dispensing practices must have standard operating procedures for proper disposal of expired medications. 1 This includes:
- Systematic identification and removal of expired drugs from inventory 1
- Patient education on proper disposal methods 1
- Provision of disposal resources, including locations of medication take-back sites 1
The Nuance: What Research Shows
While guidelines clearly state not to use expired medications, research reveals a more complex picture:
- Some medications retain potency well beyond expiration dates when properly stored 3, 4
- Studies suggest certain pharmaceuticals may remain safe and effective for years past their labeled expiration 3, 4
- However, neither the FDA nor the American Medical Association currently recommend using expired medications 4
This creates a gap between what some research suggests is possible and what regulatory bodies and professional organizations recommend for patient safety.
Critical Safety Concerns
Taking expired medications poses several risks:
- Reduced efficacy - the medication may not treat your condition adequately 2, 3
- Unpredictable potency - you cannot know how much active ingredient remains 2
- Potential toxicity - degradation products may be harmful 2
- False sense of security - believing you're being treated when you're not 2
Proper Disposal Methods
Instead of taking expired medications, dispose of them safely: 1, 5, 6
- Use medication take-back programs at pharmacies or designated collection sites 1, 5
- Utilize medication disposal bags if unable to access take-back sites 5
- Never share medications with others - this creates serious health risks 6
- Never dispose of medications in household trash or down drains - this causes environmental pollution and potential harm to humans and animals 6
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not store unused medications "just in case" - this increases risk of accidental or intentional misuse, overdose, and addiction 5, 6
- Do not assume all expired medications are equally risky - while some may retain potency, you cannot determine this without laboratory testing 3, 4
- Do not rely on appearance - medications may look fine but have degraded chemically 2
Special Considerations
The discussion about expired medications is particularly relevant in resource-limited settings or emergency situations where access to fresh medications is restricted. 4 However, in routine clinical practice with normal access to pharmacies, there is no justification for using expired medications. 1
The pharmaceutical industry does have financial incentives to maintain shorter shelf lives, which generates ongoing sales and funds research and development. 3 However, this economic reality does not change the current medical-legal standard that expired medications should not be used in routine practice.