In a recent case in the city, a type-1 diabetic patient used expired insulin which was left out of the fridge for two months. The intake led to diabetic ketoacidosis and the patient slipped into a coma, explains Dr Ravi Sankar Erukulapati, consultant endocrinologist at Apollo Hospitals.
Q. Why is it not safe to take expired medications?
‘Expiry date’, ‘use by date’ and ‘use before date’ are common words used to designate a time till which a particular medication is safe to use. In other words, the medication is effective at its best before the expiry date printed on the label. Although most medications may still be effective even after the expiry date, some may be less effective and some may become toxic after the expiry date. This depends on the molecular structure and stability of a particular medicine.
Q. Medications like nitroglycerin, insulin and liquid antibiotics are not long-lasting. Why must they not be used after expiry?
Liquid formulations, improperly packed medication, medicines not stored at the recommended temperatures and exposed to extreme heat or cold and medicines exposed to direct sunlight or moisture may become less effective or even toxic, and this is more so if the medicine is used after its shelf life. Similar precautions are mandatory with liquid antibiotics and eye drops which ought to be used before the expiry date, as well as before the stipulated time period after opening the medicine lid/cap, for various reasons including effectiveness and preventing contamination.
Q. Why must the regime of expired medicines be followed strictly?
Due to its loss of efficacy, toxicity leading to complications and also near-death situations, it is very important for people to do away or dispose of expired medicines.
