Is It Safe to Take Expired Medicines? What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Them?

You open your medicine cabinet and spot a bottle of pills you haven’t touched in a while. You check the label and realize it expired months ago. Should you still take it? What about getting rid of it—how do you safely dispose of expired medicines? This article answers those pressing questions, helping you understand whether expired medications are safe to take and offering the best ways to dispose of them.

Is It Safe to Take Expired Medicines?

The short answer: No, it’s generally not safe to take expired medicines. Here’s why:

1. Loss of Potency: Most medications lose their effectiveness over time, meaning an expired drug may not work as well as it should. This can be dangerous, especially for medications treating serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or infections. An expired medicine may not provide the therapeutic effect needed to control symptoms or conditions.
2. Chemical Changes: Over time, the chemical composition of certain drugs can change, potentially leading to harmful byproducts. While not all expired medications become toxic, some—such as antibiotics—can become less effective or even unsafe.
3. Unpredictable Results: Taking an expired drug increases the risk of unwanted side effects. Since the potency of the drug is no longer reliable, you may have to take more to feel its effects, which could lead to overdosing or adverse reactions.

In summary, it’s best not to take expired medicines. If you discover expired medications in your home, it’s safer to dispose of them and consult your doctor or pharmacist for a new prescription.

How to Store Medications Safely to Avoid Premature Expiration

Even medications that haven’t reached their expiration date can lose potency if they’re not stored correctly. Proper storage can help preserve the effectiveness of your drugs until you need them:

• Keep medications in a cool, dry place: Bathrooms, despite often having medicine cabinets, are usually too humid for safe storage. Instead, store medications in a controlled environment away from heat and moisture.
• Keep them in original packaging: The original containers protect medications from light, air, and moisture. Always leave them in their original packaging until it’s time to take them.
• Avoid extreme temperatures: Whether in a hot car or freezing luggage, temperature extremes can degrade medications quickly. Always pack medications in your carry-on bag when traveling to avoid these conditions.

What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Expired Medicines?

When it comes to getting rid of expired medications, safety is key. Simply tossing them in the trash or flushing them down the toilet can have harmful effects on the environment, as well as pose risks to children, pets, or individuals who might intentionally search for medications.

Here’s how to dispose of expired medicines safely:

1. Use a Drug Take-Back Program

The safest and most responsible way to dispose of expired or unwanted medications is through a drug take-back program. These programs allow you to drop off medications at designated locations for proper disposal. Many local pharmacies, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies now offer take-back programs year-round.

• The DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days occur several times a year across the U.S., offering a convenient way to dispose of any medications, including narcotics.

1. Check FDA’s Flush List

For certain high-risk medications, such as opioids and narcotic pain relievers, the FDA recommends flushing them down the toilet if no take-back options are available. This minimizes the risk of these powerful drugs falling into the wrong hands, such as children or pets. Always check the FDA’s flush list for drugs that should be flushed.

1. Dispose of Medications in Household Trash (With Care)

If take-back programs or flushing aren’t available, you can safely dispose of medications in your household trash by following these steps:

• Remove medications from their original containers and mix them with something undesirable, like used coffee grounds or baking soda. This step ensures that anyone searching the trash will find them unappealing and unusable.
• Place the mixture in a sealed bag or container to prevent leakage and keep it from spilling out of the garbage.
• Remove or obscure personal information from the empty medicine containers before tossing them to protect your privacy.

Special Considerations: Dangerous Medications

Some medications are especially dangerous if not disposed of properly. These drugs require extra care:

• Chemotherapy Drugs: Never throw chemotherapy drugs in the trash or flush them. Return them to the clinic or hospital that prescribed them for safe disposal.
• Fentanyl Patches: These pain-relief patches are particularly hazardous because children or pets can be exposed to the medication if they come into contact with them. The FDA recommends flushing used fentanyl patches to prevent accidental poisoning.
• Opioid Pain Relievers: Many states consider opioids to be hazardous waste, and they should never be thrown in the trash. Check with your local authorities or pharmacist for the safest disposal method.

What About Asthma Inhalers?

Asthma inhalers pose a slightly different disposal challenge. Inhalers often contain propellants like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which can harm the environment. Many newer inhalers use eco-friendly propellants, but it’s still important to check the label before discarding them.

• In most cases, inhalers can be safely thrown into the trash or recycling, but some may be considered hazardous waste. Always follow local guidelines or consult your pharmacist for advice.