Are Expired Medications Dangerous?

Have you ever looked in the medicine cabinet for a prescription or over-thecounter drug only to find it’s expired? What do you do? Expired medication itself generally isn’t dangerous, but if the drug is past its expiration date, it may be less effective.

Over time, medication loses its potency—especially tablets and capsules. But exposure to air, light, and moisture increases the process for all types of medicine. That’s why it’s so important to store drugs in a cool, dry, dark place. For example, avoid keeping medicines in bathrooms or by a window.

Bottom line? Experts say that some drugs can be effective for up to five years after the expiration date if stored properly. But there’s no way to tell if it is still 100 percent effective or not. To play it safe, discard medicine when it reaches its expiration date.