Expired Medicines: What You Need to Know

What an expiry date actually means

Every medicine carries an expiry date, but it is often misunderstood. The expiry date is the point up to which the manufacturer guarantees the medicine will be fully effective and of the expected quality, when stored as directed. It is not a precise switch where the medicine becomes dangerous overnight, but it is the line beyond which the medicine should not be relied upon.

Why expiry dates matter

After the expiry date, a medicine may gradually become less effective. For some treatments this is a real concern: a medicine that no longer works properly could fail to control a condition where that matters. In a small number of cases, breakdown of the medicine can also be a problem. Because you cannot tell by looking whether an expired medicine has lost potency, the safest assumption is that it should not be used.

Reading expiry dates correctly

Expiry dates appear on the outer box and usually on the inner packaging too. A few points help:

• A date showing only a month and year usually means the medicine is good until the end of that month
• Once opened, some medicines have a shorter life than the printed date, especially liquids, eye drops and creams; the leaflet will say
• Look for an open-jar symbol with a number and an M, which indicates how many months a product lasts after opening

Our guide on how to read a patient information leaflet explains where to find this kind of detail.

Storage affects shelf life

An expiry date assumes the medicine has been stored correctly. Heat, damp and light can shorten how long a medicine truly lasts, which is another reason good storage matters. Our guide on safe medicine storage at home covers this in detail. A medicine kept in a hot, humid bathroom may not last as well as the printed date suggests.

Signs a medicine should not be used

Quite apart from the date, do not use a medicine if:

• It has changed colour, smell or texture
• Tablets are crumbling, discoloured or stuck together
• A liquid has separated, become cloudy or developed particles
• The packaging is damaged or the label is unreadable

When in doubt, ask a pharmacist rather than taking a chance.

Why you should not stockpile

Keeping large quantities of medicines at home increases the chance of using something past its best, and adds to clutter and safety risks. It is better to keep only what you need and reasonable spares, and to order repeat prescriptions in good time rather than hoarding. If you find expired items, dispose of them rather than keeping them just in case.

Disposing of expired medicines safely

This is important: do not flush medicines down the toilet or sink, and do not throw loose tablets into household waste. The safest route is almost always to return unwanted and expired medicines to a pharmacy, which can dispose of them properly and safely. This protects children, pets and others in the home and helps prevent medicines entering the environment.

A quick routine

A simple twice-yearly check of your medicine supplies works well:

• Look through everything for expiry dates that have passed
• Set aside anything you no longer use
• Check for anything that looks or smells wrong
• Take the lot to a pharmacy for safe disposal
• Restock only what you genuinely need

The takeaway

Expiry dates are there to keep your medicines effective and safe, so it is wise to respect them, store medicines well and dispose of expired ones through a pharmacy. If you are ever unsure whether a medicine is still safe to use, a pharmacist can advise. You can browse our shop all range or visit the FAQ for ordering questions.

General information only — not medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet and consult a doctor or pharmacist before starting any medication.