Medications will work properly when stored in an environment away from light, heat, and moisture. Medications improperly stored can expire before the expiration date. Using expired medication is very risky. Expired medications are not only less potent, but some medications become toxic when used beyond the expiration date. Taking expired drugs can cause an unwanted visit to the emergency department as well having an unnecessary medical bill.

Medications will work properly when stored in an environment away from light, heat, and moisture. Medications improperly stored can expire before the expiration date. Using expired medication is very risky. Expired medications are not only less potent, but some medications become toxic when used beyond the expiration date. Taking expired drugs can cause an unwanted visit to the emergency department as well having an unnecessary medical bill.

Thank you Cajouste for your reply

Las tasas de inmunodepresión se ven afectadas y por ello los riesgos de infecciones

No es masa sino Tasas

When we use particularly expired antibacterial drugs, low level of plasma concentration of the active drugs will be achieved. Generally, antibacterial drugs are used somewhat at higher dose to prevent resistance among bacteria thus the effective concentration above MIC or ratio of Cmax/MIC or AUC/MIC are achieved which can be sufficient to cure infection. But use of expired drugs may be harmful to body due to change in active principle. It may produce adverse effects in certain cases which depends of types of drugs we use.

Thank you very much for your poster reply. What is the best way to fight against people who use expired drug particularly in developing country ?

With the notable exception of the antibiotic tetracycline, medications don’t become toxic or dangerous after they expire. Liquids and liquid capsules tend to be less stable than solid tablets, and storing medications properly can help extend their life.

A cabinet in a humid bathroom is probably the worst place to keep drugs; find a cool, dry part of the house instead

A common problem on the issue of expired drugs is that drug manufacturers don’t study what happens to drugs over long periods of time, so there’s no way for consumers to know how long a specific drug will last.

any effectiveness materials in any drug has a special half life and the influence of any drug may expired following special time. Some compound may also modified.

This is a very interesting question in fact I don’t see any much studies concerning this subject. However I should mention the consequences will depend on the active compound and also on the storage conditions. Therefore the consequences can be very varied and we may range from a severe intoxication (where the liver may suffer irreparable damage), a slight intoxication, not having any negative or beneficial effect or it could get cured of the disease because if the active principle is untouched. Each case is unique, which makes it impossible to get an objective answer.

Thank you very much for your answers. Azubuike, you have mentioned that medications don’t become toxic or dangerous after they expire with the notable exception of the antibiotic tetracycline. Do you have documentations which talk about it please?

I would like to learn more about it because they use it a lot in my country and the storage conditions are not good. May you send to me documentations about it please?

Okay Yanick, i'll look for one you can easily refer to and send it to u in a few days. Cheers

Thank you very much Azubuike. I wait for it anxiously.

expired drugs might be decomposed and may have some unsuitable effects of course it depends on the duration of expireing date.