It’s easy to overlook the expiration dates on medications. But what happens if you consume expired medicines, just a month late?
Using expired medication can result in the prescribed drug losing its effectiveness or failing to address the underlying health issue after its expiration date. It is advised to check the expiry date of any medication before buying it to avoid any serious health complications and safety concerns. Don’t panic, in case you have consumed expired medication then it is better to inform your doctor and keep an eye on your overall well-being to report any unusual signs and symptoms.
Are you having any health problems such as an allergy or an infection? Have you been prescribed medication to manage them? Wondering what may happen in case you consume expired medication? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered. There may be numerous pills in your medical box that may have expired but still occupying space as they haven’t been discarded yet. Instead of disposing these medications, safely, what if you forget about their expiry date and have them by mistake? Remember, these expired medicines will no longer do their job as they won’t be safe and effective in treating your said problem. To top it all, these expired medications can cause a plethora of health problems that will steal your peace of mind. Watch out for the following health problems that can arise due to the consumption of expired medication
• Taking expired medication can cause infections, more serious illness and possible antibiotic resistance.
• It is essential to avoid taking expired Anticoagulants and antiplatelets (blood thinners), inhalers, seizures, and thyroid medication which will be less effective in managing the underlying problems, and replace them after regularly checking the expiry date.
• These ineffective medicines can further increase the pain instead of decreasing it by making one uncomfortable.
• Shockingly, these expired medicines can induce liver and kidney damage that will require lifelong treatment and management or transplantation.
• Your immunity may take a hit due to the allergies that arise from expired medicines and impact the metabolism by making you feel sluggish.
• Eye drops tend to get contaminated with bacteria and lead to infection such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), if used after they expire.
How to Safely Dispose The Expired Medicines?
Ensure to discard the medications safely away from children. It will be a good idea to crush the expired medications and throw them away in a sealed box. When it comes to liquids, flush them or empty them in the sink. Follow the appropriate storage guidelines mentioned on the medication to get the optimum effect of the medication. Clear the medicine box at regular intervals to avoid stacking up expired medicines. Make sure you dump those discarded medicines and have a healthy breakfast in the morning.