An understanding of the "expired medicine" controversy

In several different news organizations providing exposure to expired drugs on pharmacy shelves, many people are asking if expired drugs are dangerous. There are two different aspects of this discussion, it is important to understand the truth about expired drug therapy, looking at effective risks.

First, it is important to know that medicine did not have an expiration date. By 1979 the US government began to demand drugs to be dated. In addition, this date was not meant as a timeline when the drug suddenly became dangerous. In fact, this date only guarantees that the drug is fully effective before the expiration date.

Therefore, many medical authorities and pharmaceutical companies claim that drugs that are past the expiration date are not inherently dangerous. The only problem is that it may not be totally effective. If something happens, it is better for you to take slightly less than the full dose if you accidentally overdosed. However, with this, people have the danger of taking medicines that have passed their expiration date, perhaps to compensate for the reduced effect.

However, those who sent outdated drugs have one major case that can be used as a precedent to point out dangers. In the early 1960 's, tetracycline expired people developed renal tubular injury. This is thought to be caused by the chemical change that occurred in the active ingredient of tetracycline. In order to prevent kidney damage, it is necessary to preserve tetracycline at room temperature and dry state.

Of course, we can extend the efficacy of the medicine if we always keep recommendations on preservation of medicines. Also, if medicines are stored inappropriately, it is possible to prevent possible dangerous chemical changes even before the expiration date. For example, if you store medicines in a room temperature cabinet rather than a refrigerator as instructed from a pharmacy, the expiration date is not very important.

It is up to you to track the expiration date of your medicine at your home, but the pharmacy always has to supply you safe and immortal medicine. If you have suffered from a pharmacy error such as expired medicine, wrong drug, dangerous dosage etc, please consult a medical malpractice attorney.