Professional Opinion: Is it ever safe to take expired medication?

This week, Amy Guggino, the director of pharmacy services at Coastal Carolina Hospital who has a doctorate in pharmacy, discusses whether it's ever OK to take expired medication

Question. Is it ever safe to take over-the-counter medication that is past its expiration date? What about prescription medication?

Answer. It is never a good idea to take any type of expired medication, whether it's prescription or over-the-counter. By doing so, you're gambling with your life.

Expiration dates are there for several reasons and are determined based on extensive studies that show how long the drug can last before it is no longer effective. Taking ineffective medication can mislead your doctor into prescribing you a higher dosage than you actually need, which can be very harmful.

The chemical makeup of the drug can also be altered if it is past its expiration date. Stability and sterility are only guaranteed up until a certain point, and beyond that, there is a possibility of the breakdown of the medication and/or bacterial contamination. The active ingredients of the drug may be affected when exposed to certain physical, chemical or microbiological variables such as temperature, pressure, humidity, light and bacteria. Don't take drugs that have been exposed to extreme climate changes. If you accidentally leave medication in a hot car for a long period of time, it is no longer safe and should be disposed of immediately.

Damaged medicine can also make you sick, even if it has not yet expired. You should not take drugs that have changed color, texture or smell, or pills that stick together, feel harder or softer than normal, or are cracked or chipped.

To help ensure the proper shelf life of your medications, it is best to store them in a controlled climate. If you are like most people, you probably store them in a bathroom cabinet. However, the heat and moisture from your shower, bath and sink may damage your medications. They can become less potent or go bad before the expiration date. Good places to store your medications include a dresser drawer, a storage box, a shelf, a closet or a kitchen cabinet away from the stove, sink and any hot appliances.

Once a drug is past its expiration date, it is important to dispose of it properly to help reduce harm from accidental exposure or intentional misuse. Check the label for disposal instructions, and if none are provided, a drug take-back program is another option for disposing expired, unwanted or unused medications. If there are no programs in your area, federal guidelines recommend throwing medicine away in the household trash by placing it in a bag or container and mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter. However, some medicine is specifically recommended for flushing down a toilet or sink because while safe and effective when used as prescribed, it could be especially dangerous for a child, pet or anyone else if taken accidentally.

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This story was originally published June 22, 2015 at 7:22 PM with the headline "Professional Opinion: Is it ever safe to take expired medication?."