Most homes have a drawer or cabinet full of half-used medicines, some long past their dates. Should you keep them, and are they still safe? How you store and dispose of medicines affects both how well they work and the safety of those around you. Here is a clear, practical guide.
What an expiry date really means
The expiry date is the point until which the manufacturer guarantees the medicine's full strength and safety when stored correctly. After that date, the medicine may gradually lose potency. For most everyday tablets the decline is slow, but 'might still work' is not a safe bet for medicines where the exact strength matters, and a weakened antibiotic or heart medicine could be genuinely risky.
Never gamble on critical medicines
For emergency or life-supporting medicines, such as rescue inhalers, adrenaline auto-injectors, nitroglycerin, or insulin, always use in-date supplies. A weakened dose in an emergency can be dangerous.
Storing medicines correctly
- Keep most medicines in a cool, dry place, away from heat and direct sunlight.
- The bathroom is often a poor choice because of heat and humidity from showers.
- Store medicines in their original containers with their labels and information leaflets.
- Refrigerate only the medicines that specifically say so, and never freeze them unless instructed.
- Keep all medicines well out of reach and sight of children and pets.
A word on child safety
Accidental poisoning is a leading cause of emergency visits in young children. Child-resistant caps help but are not childproof. Store medicines high up and locked where possible, and never refer to medicine as 'sweets' to encourage a child to take it.
Suspected poisoning
If a child or adult may have swallowed the wrong medicine or too much of one, act immediately even without symptoms. Call your local poison centre or emergency services: 911 (US/Canada), 999 (UK), or 112 (EU).
Disposing of medicines safely
Flushing medicines down the toilet or tossing them in household bins can harm the environment and risk others finding them. The safest option in most regions is to return unused or expired medicines to a pharmacy, which can dispose of them properly. Many areas also run medicine take-back schemes. Remove or obscure personal details on the packaging before handing them over.
Keeping your supply in order
A twice-yearly check of your medicine cabinet, removing expired or no-longer-needed items, keeps things safe and uncluttered, and reminds you what you actually have. It also reduces the temptation to self-treat with leftover prescriptions, which is rarely a good idea.
Not sure if it is still safe?
Wondering whether a medicine is still usable or how to replace one that has expired? A licensed doctor or pharmacist on iHealix can advise and, where appropriate, renew your prescription.
This article is for general information only. When in doubt about a specific medicine, always ask a qualified pharmacist or doctor.