Is Expiring Comsumption Drugs Dangerous?

The food that has expired would have eaten bad and dangerous to health. However, what about the drugs? Because the drug also has an expiration date, what can happen if a person taking any medications that have "stale"?

Many people are confused what to do when the date indicated on the patent medicine has passed. There were promptly dispose of the drug, there are still going to drink it, and there were only kept it in a drawer.

Sharon Bergquist, internal medicine physician and assistant professor of medicine at Emory University, Atlanta, gives an explanation of the drug and its expiry date.

legal reasons

Since 1979, the FDA requires drug manufacturers to include an expiration date, both generic and patented drugs. The majority of consumers do not understand what the meaning of that date. "The date listed is the producer guarantee deadline when the drug is still effective," said Bergquist.

Even so, if the date has passed, it does not mean cure immediately ineffective or harmful. "Generally, the expiration date is 12 to 60 months from the production," he said. In many cases, drugs that have expired or have never tested the effectiveness of a potential poison him.

There is a pharmacist who writes a warning to immediately dispose of the drug when it is past the date set. Usually, this period is one year after the drug was opened from the packaging. "This rule is required in 17 states, but is still very little research about this. Perfectly possible if there is a drug that is still drinkable after 10 years," said Bergquist.

ever tested

At the request of the Department of Defense, the FDA conducted a research on the age of the common drugs consumed. The drugs were stored in normal conditions and climate, rather than in moist situations such as in the bathroom.

The FDA tested the entire drug supply DoD since 1986 to 2006 to determine whether the drugs had to be discarded. There are 122 types of drugs in the 3005 group.

"It turned out that 88 percent of the 3,005 drugs that still can be extended until the expiration date average of 66 months (5.5 years)," he said.

Potential vs efficacy

However, Bergquist said would not advise patients to consume expired medicine. He says that there are two related scenarios expired drugs. First, when a person must regularly take medication such as nitroglycerin or insulin, then the drug must be maintained quality and avoid medications that have expired.

The second situation, when a person experiences a mild illness, such as fever, headache, or back pain. "It's okay if you only have expired medications at home. Still safe to eat, although its efficacy has not 100 percent," he said

Keep the quality of drug

Some forms of the drug is more durable than others. The most stable are tablets and capsules, but the most durable tablet form of the drug. Liquid medicine or to be put into the fridge quickly broken and avoided its use after the expiration date.

Signs of defective drugs include strong smell, if there is a drug that seeps out or crystallized. To maintain the durability of the drug, at least until the expiration date, store it in a dry, cool, and protected from direct sunlight. Also make sure the bottle tightly closed.

Actually defective drugs safe for disposal in the trash. However, the FDA advised to throw it in the toilet.