What would happen if you consumed a paracetamol tablet which was beyond its expiration date? Many pills like these could be in our medicine boxes, way past their expiration dates.
Once you check that the tablet has been beyond the expiration date, it is tossed in the rubbish. But what if you, by mistake, consume medicine well after the expiry date?
In 1985, a study by the US Air Force was conducted where the military took a stockpile of medications worth more than a billion dollars that were close to or past their expiration dates.
Well, no one wanted to throw away expensive medications that might still be safe and effective.
The verdict? Most medicines were still good nearly three years past their expiration dates.
Excluding some like nitroglycerine, insulin, and liquid antibiotics, most medications are long-lasting. Placing medication in a cool place, such as a refrigerator, could help a drug remain potent for many years.
But here’s the catch. These drug-stability tests were conducted in the mid-1980s and early 1990s. Since then, newer medications past their expiration dates have not been tested.
An analysis in 2019 also had a similar conclusion, “This review has collected data showing that the shelf-life of most finished pharmaceutical products (FPPs) can be extended beyond their labelled expiry dates. It was not uncommon that the actual shelf-life exceeded the manufacturer-assigned one by three- or four-fold.”
This may hold true for some medications, but this notion cannot be generalised to all of them.
According to Harvard Medical, it may be fine to take an allergy medication one month past its expiration date, but there is some risk in taking heart rhythm medication that, if ineffective, could lead to an unstable and dangerous heart problem.
A medication that’s a month past its expiration date may be potent while one that’s five years past is not.
THE NEED FOR EXPIRATION DATES ON MEDICINES
Expiry date is the date until which the manufacturer can still guarantee the full potency and safety of the medication.
In 1979, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that all medications would need an expiration date printed as “EXP” on bottles and drug packages.
In India, medicines are controlled by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and the Rules 1945. These laws also oversee the marking of expiration dates on all medicines.
Each medicine must have a potency expiration date. This date, printed on the container, label, or wrapper of the medicine, informs the customer about the maximum duration for which the medicine remains effective on the shelf.
The purpose of adding an expiration date on the medicine package is to ensure the customer is safe and gets the most efficacy out of the pills. Medications beyond expiration could also lose potency and not remain as effective.
Dr Usha Gaddam, Family Medicine, Apollo Clinic, said that medications are expensive, and in Asian and African continents, where many have the problem of affordability, medicines are consumed even after the expiry date.
WHAT IF YOU CONSUME EXPIRED MEDICINE?
Expired medications can be risky. Some might be good to consume even after a year of expiration, but that depends on various circumstances.
The way a medicine is stored also matters.
One has to ensure that the medications are kept in a cool, dry place since they are likely to last longer than those kept in a hot, damp location.
According to Dr Gaddam, drugs when used after expiry could have the following effects:
- Reduced or loss of efficacy in curing the disease hence prolonged symptoms
- Change in chemical composition leading to toxic build-up in the blood, damage to organs, and tissues, allergic reaction, nausea, vomiting etc.
- Certain medications are at risk of bacterial growth, which can be a health hazard
- Antibiotic resistance can occur with suboptimal medication
Dr Brunda, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, told IndiaToday.in that medications are not strong enough to fight off illnesses when consumed beyond their expiration date.
“This is especially risky for serious conditions where precise dosing is crucial. Expired medicines can become breeding grounds for microbes, especially if not stored according to the instructions. It can also lead to infections or allergies,” Dr Brunda said.
Given the current climate of improper storage of medicines and lack of proper regulation, consuming an expired medication could be dangerous.
If you’ve consumed one, consult a doctor immediately, the experts said.
“Health professionals can give you specific advice based on your situation and the type of medication. It is best to follow the expiration date and dispose of expired medicines properly to avoid any future adversities,” Dr Brunda added.
SAFE PRESERVATION
Medicines once bought should be safely and properly stored. Make sure you read the label and see if there are specific instructions for storage. Some medicines need to be stored in the refrigerator while others require to be in a cool, dark place.
Improper storage reduces effectiveness and compromises its efficacy.
So, here’s the bottom line, if you’ve consumed medication past its expiry date, then you need to inform your doctor. You should worry, but not panic, if the drug is just a month beyond the expiration date.
Proper consultation can help give you clarity as expiry dates are mostly for the sake of manufacturers to guarantee the potency of medicines.
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