Is it safe to take expired medicine?
The FDA advises against using medicine after its expiration date. It may be weaker or chemically changed, and expired antibiotics can fail to treat an infection.
The FDA advises against using medicine after its expiration date. Once a medicine has expired, there’s no guarantee that it’s still safe or that it works. It may have become weaker, or its chemical makeup may have changed.
What the expiration date means
The expiration date is the last day the manufacturer guarantees the medicine’s full strength and safety, as long as it has been stored as the label says. After that date, there’s no guarantee.
Why expired medicine can be a problem
- It may not work. A weaker medicine may not control pain, a fever or a long-term condition.
- Expired antibiotics can fail to treat an infection. The FDA warns this can lead to more serious illness and to antibiotic resistance.
- It may have changed. Heat, moisture and light speed up the breakdown of medicines.
What to do with expired medicine
- Don’t use it. If you still need the medicine, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a new supply.
- Get rid of it safely, ideally at a drug take-back location. See how to get rid of unused medicines.
- Check your medicine cabinet once a year and clear out anything expired.
Keeping medicines in good condition
- Store medicines in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, unless the label says to refrigerate them.
- Keep them in their original containers, with the label, so you can always check the name, strength and date. It also makes them much easier to identify later.
- Keep them up high and out of sight of children and pets.
Common questions
Is expired medicine dangerous?
It can be. The main risks are that it doesn’t work, which matters most for antibiotics and medicines for serious conditions, and that its chemistry may have changed. The FDA’s advice is not to use it.
Where do I find the expiration date?
On the original bottle, box or blister pack, often marked EXP. A pharmacy label may show a separate “discard after” or “use by” date, which can be earlier.
Can I take an expired painkiller just once?
The FDA advises against using any expired medicine. If you need pain relief, buy a new pack or ask a pharmacist what’s suitable for you.