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What Are the Dangers of Taking Expired Prescription Drugs?
Most Americans have a bottle or two of expired medication sitting around. You may be tempted to take this medicine, but concerned about the safety. The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide reported that 90 percent of drugs tested were found to be safe 15 years after their expiration dates 1. The obvious problem is that you don't want to take the 10 percent of medicines that are no longer safe or effective. There are several reasons to avoid expired prescription drugs.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Loss of Potency
Some drugs lose potency over time and become less effective at treating the intended condition. This is especially true for insulin and nitroglycerin. If your physician thinks you are taking fresh medication but your test results indicate your condition is deteriorating, she might increase the dosage—with harmful results. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that you not take expired medication as it may no longer work properly.
- Some drugs lose potency over time and become less effective at treating the intended condition.
Changes in Chemical Composition
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Drugs are chemical compounds capable of changing color, odor and texture over time. They can also break down chemically, causing an unintended effect on your body. Though this is a rare occurrence, it is not a chance you want to take especially if the drug expired many years ago.
No Longer Appropriate
Saving old, expired medications is a bad practice for many reasons. Leftover antibiotics taken the next time you get sick can actually worsen your condition if you are infected with a different bacteria. You could also cause the bacteria to become stronger and drug-resistant if you don't take a full course of the antibiotic. Old medications may be contraindicated with drugs you are currently prescribed and neither your physician or pharmacist will know you are taking the expired drugs. Your medical condition may change over time, making certain medicines inappropriate for you. Finally, if you decide to take an expired medication, you may be duplicating the effect of another medicine you are currently taking. It is easy, for example, to take two different medicines that lower your blood pressure without realizing it.
- Saving old, expired medications is a bad practice for many reasons.
- You could also cause the bacteria to become stronger and drug-resistant if you don't take a full course of the antibiotic.
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References
- Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide: Drug Expiration Dates - Do They Mean Anything?
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide: Chapter I. General Dietary Supplement Labeling. 2005.
- Andrews KW, Roseland JM, Gusev PA, et al. Analytical ingredient content and variability of adult multivitamin/mineral products: National estimates for the Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database. Am J Clin Nutr. 2017;105(2):526-539. doi:10.3945/ajcn.116.134544
- Greenberg JA, Bell SJ, Guan Y, Yu YH. Folic acid supplementation and pregnancy: more than just neural tube defect prevention. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2011;4(2):52-9.
- NSF International. Stability Testing for Dietary Supplements. 2011.
- Hiatt AN, Ferruzzi MG, Taylor LS, Mauer LJ. Impact of deliquescence on the chemical stability of vitamins B1, B6, and C in powder blends. J Agric Food Chem. 2008;56(15):6471-9. doi:10.1021/jf800709f
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Dispose of Medicines, Vitamins, and Other Supplements Properly.
- Hiatt AN, Ferruzzi MG, Taylor LS, Mauer LJ. Deliquescence behavior and chemical stability of vitamin C forms (ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, and calcium ascorbate) and blends. Int J Food Prop. 2011;14(6):1330-1348. doi:10.1080/10942911003650338
- NSF International. Stability Testing for Dietary Supplements. 2011.
- World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Guidelines on food fortification with micronutrients. 2006.
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Writer Bio
J. Lucy Boyd, RN, BSN has written several nonfiction books including "The Complete Guide to Healthy Cooking and Nutrition for College Students." She is frequently called upon to provide career guidance to medical professionals and advice to parents of children with challenges. She also loves teaching others to cook for their families.