I thought my medication was still good...

Nothing is more SCARY than an unintended drug reaction! As we wrap up National Pharmacy Month and Medication Safety, I would be remiss if we didn't talk about expired and unusable medications.

One of the most common questions pharmacists get is, "How long after the expiration date can I still use my medication?" I wish there was a simple answer, but there just isn't.

Sometimes medications just become less effective over time, but other times they can become quite dangerous! Results can range from a mild rash, to liver damage, and even death (imagine if your Epipen developed contamination and didn't work). With medications for chronic conditions, they can actually make the condition worse and send you to the hospital!

Safety checks and diligence can prevent unintended reactions to expired medications. Use this Old Medication Best Practices chart as a guide when questioning expired or unusable medications. It can help you avoid dangerous side-effects and possibly save your life!

If you still have questions about your expired or unused medication after referring to the Best Practices chart, please reach out! I'm always here to answer your questions. Your safety and peace of mind are foremost in my mind!

Have a safe and fun Halloween! 👻