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In 1979, a law was passed requiring drug manufacturers to stamp an expiration date on their products. According to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, this is the date that manufacturers can guarantee full potency and safety of the drug. Over a decade ago, the Federal Drug Administration conducted a study and found that more than 90 percent of medications retained their effectiveness after the specified expiration date. It may be time to take a look inside your medicine cabinet and do some cleaning.
Tetracycline
Tetracycline is an antibiotic prescribed to treat bacterial infections, acne, and urinary tract infections. It prevents the growth and spread of bacteria. Tetracycline should be taken only as directed Discard any medication that is not needed or expired. Taking expired tetracycline causes a serious kidney condition called Fanconi syndrome. According to Medline Plus, Fanconi syndrome is a disorder of the kidney tubes or ureters. Substances which are normally absorbed into the bloodstream by the kidneys are released into the urine instead.
Insulin
According to an article by Martin M.Grajower, M.D., et al., on the online journal Diabetes Care, even though an expiration date is stamped on each bottle of insulin, loss of potency can occur after the bottle has been in use for less than or equal to one month. Diabetic patients are strongly advised not to use insulin past the expiration date stamped on the bottle.
Nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerin is a medication prescribed to relieve or prevent an acute attack of angina. The effectiveness of nitroglycerin decreases as it gets old. It functions as a vasodilator by opening blood vessels to improve blood flow. This drug loses its potency after its specified expiration date. Patients with angina are strongly encouraged get a new prescription and to discard the expired medication
Warfarin
Warfarin is an anticoagulant prescribed as treatment to prevent clot formation. It is used as preventative treatment in cases of atrial fibrillation, following cardiac valve replacement, and to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Warfarin is a drug which loses its potency over time. It should not be taken after the specified expiration date.
Acetaminophen
According to BJC Health Care, acetaminophen loses its potency once past expiration. You may need to take more of the expired medication to gain desired relief. Taking acetaminophen in excess of the recommended dose can result in liver toxicity. Properly dispose of the drug once past expiration.
Vitamins
The expiration date stamped on packages of vitamins have a definite purpose. The date indicates for how long the potency of the product can be guaranteed. Taking vitamins that are expired will not provide the maximum benefits. Never take a double dose of the vitamin to compensate for the loss.
Mascara
Cosmetics do not have a stamped expiration date on the packages. However, manufacturers recommend discarding mascara two to four months after purchase. The repeated microbial exposure during use by the consumer greatly increases the risk for infection. Discard mascara once it becomes dry. Never add water, or even worse, saliva, to moisten it because that adds more bacteria into the product.
All-Natural Cosmetics
Cosmetics that are labeled as all-natural have an unusually short shelf life. According to the FDA, all-natural cosmetic products may contain plant-derived substances that are favorable to microbial growth. Such products may not contain preservatives and the consumer needs to be aware of the increased risk of contamination. The product’s safety is highly dependent on how it is stored.
Sunscreen
Though relatively stable, the chemicals in sunscreen can break down and lose their potency if not properly stored. Exposure to heat and light speeds up the break down process. Not all sunscreen products are stamped with an expiration date. Using expired sunscreen products could reduce the sun protection you are getting. It is recommended to discard a sunscreen product two years after purchase.
When in Doubt, Throw it Out
According to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, if the expiration date is past by a few years and it is important that the drug is 100 percent effective, consider buying a new bottle and discard the old one. The Johns Hopkins Health Alert advises you to discard any pills that have become discolored, turned powdery, or smell strong. Discard any liquids that appear cloudy and tubes of cream that are hardened or cracked. Dispose of any unused medications that had been prescribed for a previous illness.
Add a Comment2 Comments
this is useful information and needs to be more widely publicized as I am sure I am not alone in wondering about expiry dates on medical and beauty products and not knowing were to look for information
July 22, 2010 - 11:50pmThis Comment
Very interesting article! Haven't we all looked at a container of something (pills, lotion, etc.) and wondered if it's still good to use. Great information, Maryann, Thanks!
July 21, 2010 - 8:50amThis Comment