2024-01-30 05:15:00
It is very common to keep medicines beyond their expiration date. Moreover, according to a recent study by the Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM), 34% of French people consider it “rather not risky” or “not at all risky” to take an expired medication.
What is the “expiration date”?
The expiration date is a sort of guarantee that a drug’s potency will last at least until that date. “It is imposed by regulatory agencies on manufacturers,” explains Professor Drici. “They are asked to ensure the quality, effectiveness and safety of the drug over a given period of time. This can range from 1 to 3 years (more rarely 5 years) from the date of manufacture. »
Thus, during this period of time, the organoleptic characteristics of the product, that is to say its texture, its color or even its taste, must not change. “Provided that the medication is stored properly by the user,” the pharmacologist takes the time to clarify, “because variations in temperature or exposure to light or humidity can alter the quality of the medication. This is why it is not recommended to store them in the bathroom. »
Liquids versus solids
But once the expiry date has passed, is the medicine less effective, or even dangerous? Actually, it depends on the drug. Some will be sensitive and others less so.
“Liquid forms are very sensitive. They contain preservatives and these are the first elements to degrade. Using them beyond the deadline therefore exposes a risk of bacterial proliferation,” warns Professor Drici.
Thus, under this term “liquid forms”, we find:
- Syrups
- Eye drops
- Injectable medications
- But also creams and ointments which can also decompose.
What regarding solid shapes?
Again it depends. “Some are relatively resistant, like paracetamol or codeine for example. On the other hand, there is no question of exceeding the expiration limit for a product that is used in PrEP or pre-exposure prophylaxis in the context of HIV. Same for antibiotics, contraceptive pills, anti-asthmatics, treatments for hypertension…”.
To summarize, Professor Drici explains that ideally, it is better not to take expired medication. Before specifying that for freely available medicines (apart from liquid forms), those of everyday use, used for small “sores”, going beyond a few weeks does not pose too many problems.
On the other hand, for products subject to prescription, there are real risks of misuse. They can lose their effectiveness and/or become harmful.
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