HIV Antiretroviral Drugs

Have you ever wondered about a drug's expiration? Where does it come from?

Simply put, the Food and Drug administration (Fda) requires that drug clubs decide a time limit to which they can certify the full potency and safety of medications. Most medications are given an expiration date of 1-5 years, because their manufacturers can certify that the drug will enunciate its full potency for at least that period of time. But does this mean that the medication becomes harmful after the expiration date? Not exactly...

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Consider the following: the U.S. Soldiery maintains a large provide of medications. Replacing them every few years would be extremely high-priced for the government, so the Fda and the group of Defense (Dod) conducted a study called the Fda-Dod Shelf Life prolongation Program. This study found that 88% of the 3,005 tested drug lots (122 different medications) were stable and potent for an median 66 months after the expiration date. The medications tested included antibiotics and other medications needed for Soldiery purposes. Other studies found other medications to be stable from 1-35 years after expiration date.

The expiration date protects the manufacturers from liability should a medication lose its potency after it arrives in the hands of the consumer. Of course, this date applies to unopened drugs that are stored in optimal conditions. So should we throw out medications after they "expire?" Here's the bottom line:

The only risk of using an expired medication relates to the inherent lack of its potency. Drugs like nitroglycerin, insulin, liquid antibiotics, and any medications used to treat potentially life-threatening conditions, should be discarded after their expiration date. Any medication that has changed color, looks cloudy, or has a precipitate, should be discarded as well. However, you will most likely get the same relief from your quarterly aches and pains by taking Tylenol or Motrin that expired a few months ago, or calm your eczema itch by using old cortisone cream. Just remember to store your medicines in a cool and dry place (not your bathroom!) to assure that they reserve their potency for a long time.

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