Doctors and health experts often warn against the consumption of expired medication. You might feel that taking expired medications is not a big deal. However, certain expired medicines can cause some serious complications in the body.
According to a report by New York Post, there are four drugs that are the most dangerous to take past the date on the label. Dr. Jamie Winn, a pharmacist and medical director at Universal Drugstore told the New York Post that over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, as well as antihistamines, are relatively safe to consume after their expiration dates.
“The risk here isn’t toxicity, which can happen during the breakdown of some more serious medications, but loss of potency, so they won’t be as effective,” he said.
That being said, that lack of potency “may encourage people to take more pills than advised. This can take a toll on your body.”
Here are 4 medicines that you should never take after their expiration date:
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics should always be taken as prescribed and they should never consumed after they reach their expiration date. Winn explained that certain types, such as tetracyclines, can degrade so much that if they are consumed past the expiration date, they may lead to kidney damage. He also warned that you should never have extra antibiotics. Always complete the course of your antibiotics as it may increase the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that is harder to treat.
- Heart medications: Heart medications such as nitroglycerin lose their potency over time. So, taking these medicine after they reach their expiration date can cause complications among people with heart conditions.
- Insulin: If you take insulin after expiration date, it can be very dangerous. “Those with Type 1 diabetes rely on insulin to help regulate their blood sugar on a daily basis. Once expired, it may not work effectively and can cause hyperglycemia, which can lead to some very serious complications,” Winn told The Post.
- EpiPens: Experts often warn against using EpiPens beyond their expiration date as it can be fatal. “If the medication begins to degrade, it may not be able to provide the life-saving effect needed if someone is experiencing an anaphylactic shock,” he said as quoted by The Post.
According to a report by The Post, eye drops should be discarded 28 days after opening, regardless of their expiration date. Expired cream or ointment should be discarded as they undergo chemical changes that can damage your skin.