Warning: These 4 expired medications could turn toxic and lead to serious health risks
etimes.in | Mar 7, 2025, 12.24 AM IST
If you are someone who doesn't discard medications post the expiry date and your stash of medicines includes loads of leftover antibiotics, painkillers and allergy pills, there is something you need to know.
There are times, when people may take medications post their expiry date, as they don't understand the implications. However, doing so can be dangerous in many cases. In other cases, the potency of the medicine may be lost. While popping an old ibuprofen might not spell disaster, expired antibiotics, heart medications, insulin, and EpiPens are a whole different story. Let's understand which expired medications are the most dangerous to take and what can happen if you end up taking them.
Dr. Jamie Winn, a pharmacist and medical director at Universal Drugstore, tells The New York Post that taking certain medications post their expiration date can pose serious risks to health.
“While it can seem harmless, you can put your health at risk if you’re unaware of what can happen while taking medication beyond its expiration date,” he says.
Medications that may not cause much damage post expiration Winn says over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, as well as antihistamines, are relatively safe to consume after their expiration dates. However, they may not be as effective and people may end up taking more pills than advised which can adversely affect health.
“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.
This “may encourage people to take more pills than advised. This can take a toll on your body.”
Expired drugs you should NEVER takeWinn says certain drugs should never be taken after their expiration date, even if you are planning to take them close to the expiration date. It's important to check the label and strictly follow the mentioned expiry dates.
Antibiotics The expert says antibiotics like tetracyclines if consumed past the expiration date may lead to kidney damage. Winn also says that these medications may lose their effectiveness and may not help eliminate bacteria from the body, which can make the disease worse.
“This is the case, especially with liquid antibiotics, which can become contaminated once the [expiration] date has passed.”
The expert says one shouldn't store extra antibiotics in the house and buy the medications as per the prescribed course. "Not taking the full course can cause your infection to come back, and it may also increase the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that is harder to treat.”
Heart medicines People with heart conditions should never have expired medications as they may lose their effectiveness and may not work as intended.
InsulinInsulin that helps regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes should not be taken past its expiration date, as it can lead to uncontrolled glucose levels in the body, which can cause diabetes complications.
“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,” the expert said.
EpiPensT he drugs are life-saving and if their expiration date is not considered, they may not be effective, which can cost a life.
“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.
“Expiration dates are important for many reasons, but mainly it’s because over time, the ingredients inside the medication can begin to break down. Think of it in the same way food spoils when for a prolonged period,” Winn said
“This means the medication will not work as well, or worse, become harmful. Which in effect can cause unexpected side effects or dangerous reactions. The older the medication, the higher this risk becomes.”
Here are other side effects of expired medicineToxicity: Expired liquid antibiotics, eye drops, and creams can become contaminated with bacteria, leading to new infections instead of treating the original issue.
Infection: Chemical changes in expired drugs could trigger unexpected allergic responses or skin irritation, especially with creams, ointments, or eye drops.
It is important to store your medications in a cool and dry place and keeping them in humid areas can make them break down more quickly.
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