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Tag: Medication expiration

Explore our medication guides and pharmacology articles within this category.

Understanding if and how can estrogen patches go bad

4 min read
According to regulatory authorities like the FDA, manufacturers guarantee the quality and potency of medications only up to their expiration date. This critical deadline is especially important for hormonal products, which is why it is essential to understand if and how can estrogen patches go bad, and what to do if they do.

Is it okay to use 2 year old eye drops? A guide on medication safety and risk

4 min read
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, unopened eye drops are typically safe for one to two years from their manufacturing date, but once opened, the shelf life shortens dramatically. The question, 'Is it okay to use 2 year old eye drops?' therefore has a simple answer rooted in pharmacology and safety: no, it is not. The risks of contamination and reduced effectiveness are far too high for the delicate tissues of the eye.

Understanding How Many Years is Clonazepam Good For: Shelf Life and Safety

4 min read
Clonazepam tablets can have a manufacturer-assigned expiration date of up to 5 years from the date of production, though this assumes ideal storage conditions. However, relying on this date alone can be misleading, and using any medication, including clonazepam, past its expiration date can be risky due to potential decreases in potency and safety concerns.

Why discard eye drops after 90 days?

4 min read
Studies have shown that used eye drop containers can have contamination rates ranging from 2% to as high as 72.8%, depending on various factors [1.9.2, 1.9.3]. This significant risk of contamination is a primary reason behind the guidance on why to discard eye drops after 90 days, or often sooner, to prevent serious eye infections.

Will expired gabapentin hurt you? Understanding the safety and risks

5 min read
Since the FDA began requiring expiration dates on all medications in 1979, the consensus has been to avoid using expired products, and this applies to gabapentin. While taking expired gabapentin is not known to become acutely toxic, the primary danger lies in its reduced effectiveness, which can have significant consequences for those managing seizures or chronic pain.

What happens if you take expired Excedrin?

5 min read
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a medication's expiration date marks the final day the manufacturer guarantees its full potency and safety. This means that if you take expired Excedrin, its effectiveness in relieving pain may be significantly diminished, though serious harm is unlikely for most stable solid medications.

What Happens If You Use Expired Healing Ointment?

4 min read
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), using any medication past its expiration date can be risky, and ointments are no exception. Here is what happens if you use expired healing ointment, from reduced effectiveness to the potential for skin irritation and infection.