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Are Expired Medications Safe to Use? Here's What You Need to Know

When was the last time you checked the expiration dates in your medicine cabinet? If it’s been a while, you may be holding on to medications that are past their prime. Some expired medicines may simply lose strength, while others could actually be risky to take.

Research shows that when stored properly, many medications may retain up to 90% of their potency for at least five years beyond the labeled expiration date. However, the safest rule of thumb is to avoid using prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs past their expiration date unless you’ve consulted a healthcare professional first.

What Does the Expiration Date Really Mean?

Since 1979, all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications are required to have expiration dates. These are set by the manufacturer after testing. The expiration date indicates the final day that the manufacturer guarantees the full potency and safety of a medication.

Expiration dates apply to:

Prescription medications
OTC medications
Vitamins and supplements
Herbal products

How Far Past the Expiration Date is Still Safe?

Technically, you shouldn’t take medications once they expire. Even if the pills look fine, there’s no guarantee they’ll work properly. A medication’s potency gradually decreases starting from the moment it is produced. For some medications, like blood thinners or EpiPens, reduced strength could have life-threatening consequences.

Solid forms of medications like tablets or capsules generally last longer than drugs that exist in a solution or as a reconstituted suspension and that require refrigeration, but it’s still best not to gamble on expired meds.

Are Expired Medications Dangerous?

In most cases, expired medications aren’t toxic. The only well-documented exception is tetracycline, an older antibiotic that can cause kidney problems when it’s no longer stable. That said, the bigger concern with expired drugs is effectiveness. A medication that doesn’t work as it should can put your health at risk—especially if you rely on it for a serious condition, like insulin for diabetes or nitroglycerin for chest pain.

Which Medications Are Most Concerning After They Expire?

Expired drugs can be less effective or risky due to a change in chemical composition or a decrease in strength. Others are at risk of bacterial growth. A few examples include:

Nitroglycerin (for chest pain) – loses potency quickly and may fail during a heart attack
Insulin – becomes unstable, leading to poor blood sugar control
Epinephrine (EpiPen) – may not stop a severe allergic reaction
Liquid antibiotics – risk of bacterial contamination
Eye drops – can cause eye infections
Birth control – reduced effectiveness, risk of unplanned pregnancy

What About Over-the-Counter Medications?

Yes, common meds like Advil, Tylenol, Claritin, Benadryl, and Sudafed all expire. Taking them past the printed date usually isn’t harmful, but they may not work as well. And in cases where consistent effectiveness matters—like aspirin taken daily for heart health—expired medications could pose serious risks.

Interestingly, a U.S. military study found that some drugs retain potency for months or even years beyond their expiration dates. But results varied, and there’s no way to know how your specific bottle of medication will hold up over time.

Storing Medications for Optimal Shelf Life

Ensuring your medications are stored properly will help them last until their expiration date. Avoid damp bathrooms, where heat and humidity can shorten shelf life. Keep them in a cool, dry spot—like a kitchen cabinet, closet shelf, or lockbox. Some medications, such as insulin or certain antibiotics, need refrigeration. Always check the label or ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure.

For medications to be out of reach for little ones, they must be stored up high, out of sight, and preferably in a locked container. Even "child-resistant" packaging is not childproof, as determined children can open it.

Disposing of Old Medications Properly

Failing to dispose of old medications, especially opioids, all too often leads to dangerous drugs ending up in the wrong hands and can injure children and pets if taken by mistake.

First, read your medicine’s label and follow any specific disposal instructions that may be included. Many drug take-back locations exist in retail, hospital or clinic pharmacies, and law enforcement facilities. These locations have kiosks or drop boxes available where expired medications can be dropped off to be disposed of safely by the facility.

Find a drop off location here.

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