There’s really no way to know unless drugs are tested, but here are some common sense measures:
• Insulin is used to control blood sugar in diabetes and may be susceptible to degradation after its expiration date.
• Oral nitroglycerin (NTG), a medication used for angina (chest pain), may lose its potency quickly once the medication bottle is opened.
• Vaccines, biologicals or blood products could also be subject to quick degradation once the expiration date is reached.
• Tetracycline may produce a toxic metabolite, but this controversial among reseachers.8
• Medicines that looks old: powdery or crumbling medicine, drugs with a strong smell, or dried up medicine (as in the case of or ointments or creams) should be discarded.
Proper storage of medications may help to extend their potency. The bathroom and medicine cabinet are not ideal places to store medications due to heat and humidity. Similarly, medications should not be left in a hot car or glovebox, or in freezing weather. Medications remain most stable in dry, cool spaces away from light. Keep the prescription bottle caps tightly closed and always keep medications out of reach of children and pets.
Another important point, especially considering the national opioid epidemic. Discard unused or expired controlled substances like hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Vicodin, Lotab, Norco) or oxycodone (Oxycontin) as soon as possible due to the risk for overdose, theft, or diversion of the medication. Plus, learn about the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day held twice per year in your city as a safe way to dispose of these prescription medications.
