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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| Image source: huffingtonpost.ca |
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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| Image source: womansday.com |
Dr. Lisa Marie Cannon is a board-certified internist based in New Jersey. Follow this Twitter account to learn more about her practice.
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