How long can I use medication after its expiration date?

People should not use medication after the expiration date on its packaging. Instead, they should obtain replacement medication, whether through a new prescription or by purchasing new over-the-counter drugs.

Medication expiration dates guarantee a drug’s stability, safety, and efficacy within a certain timeframe. Manufacturers must perform stability tests to ensure this date is accurate.

Manufacturers may be able to extend expiration dates by testing the medication and providing renewed supporting evidence for the drug’s stability and effectiveness.

Expiration date extensions typically occur on drugs from federal stockpiles in environmentally controlled storage facilities.

This is unlike drugs kept by consumers, which may be kept in varying levels of light, temperature, and humidity, which may make them unsuitable for extensions.

After their expiration date, medications may be less effective or have a change in chemical composition. They may fail to treat a person’s condition or illness, or cause additional issues.

For example, some medications may also be prone to bacterial growth, which could cause additional health concerns if a person ingests the drug.

The Food and Drug Administration states people should not consume expired medication. Instead, they should dispose of the drugs correctly and speak with a healthcare professional for appropriate treatment.