Medicine Safety: Are Expired Drugs Still Okay To Take?

Some people consider expiration dates as mere estimates, while some believe that they're really not set in stones. Is there any truth to these? These axioms may make you think twice about tossing out your expired medicines into the trash, and this is quite a sensible thing to do, at least according to this study. According to Lee Cantrell, a professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco, and the study's lead author, the results show that "time frame doesn't necessarily correlate to a drug's potency."

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So what now? The current regulation on expiration dates set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considered the benchmark for safety: "To assure that a drug product meets applicable standards of identity, strength, quality, and purity at the time of use, it shall bear an expiration date determined by appropriate stability testing."

Expiration dates stand as the date by which the full potency and safety of the drug can be assured. The time frame may appear as a conservative estimate, but this also serves as a barrier against risks that come from the potential spoilage of the chemical make-up and loss of potency in various drugs. Since the pharmaceutical and medical communities are split on their views on drug expiration, consumers are rethinking whether to keep or flush their expired medications. Despite the conflicting statements on expired medicines, your best bet is never to take the risk. Discard all expired medications and follow what the label says to make sure that you're getting what you paid for and maximize what it can do for your health. It's also recommended to consult your physician or pharmacist to get some clarity around the longstanding debate on drug expiration.

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Dr. Lisa Marie Cannon is a board-certified internist based in New Jersey. Follow this Twitter account to learn more about her practice.

The Relationship Between Sleep Deprivation and Anemia

One of the lesser known effects of sleep deprivation or insomnia is iron deficiency anemia. It is because anemia usually comes as a co-morbid condition with the more common effects such as snoring, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome (RLS). Recent medical studies have found that typically individuals who suffer from RLS have some form of anemia, or show a greater risk of developing the condition. Such is of great concern among health practitioners as it is estimated that 10 percent of the American population suffers from RLS.

It must be noted that lack of sleep does not lead or cause anemia. Sleep deprivation is when a person consciously or unconsciously does not gain enough quality and uninterrupted sleep for a certain period (usually six to eight hours). Anemia, on the other hand, is a condition caused by either cell destruction or the insufficient production of blood cells. There are many forms of anemia, the most common being related to iron deficiency.

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Various factors influence the production of iron, but a large part is how often and how well a person sleeps. If or when a person is deprived of sleep, the body will not regenerate itself properly. Iron production is affected and may worsen a person’s anemic condition. Also, as mentioned earlier, other effects of insomnia, such as RLS, increases the chance of developing anemia.

It is a frustrating cycle. Those who lack sleep do not produce enough iron to combat everyday stresses. Iron deficiency – with or without anemia – can impact sleep. Medical data has found that dopamine and serotonin play a role in a person’s sleep and wake activities. Iron is essential to the brain’s dopamine system.

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Individuals who do suffer from any form of sleep deprivation should immediately consult with their local doctor.

Dr. Lisa Marie Cannon is a respected specialist in internal medicine. Part of her practice includes sleep disorders and their associated conditions. Learn more by liking this Facebook page.