Expiration date of medicine after opening

Many parents and friends have these questions: Can I still use the antipyretic medicine I used last time when I had a fever? Can I still use the eye drops two months after opening them? Can I save the cough medicine for the next time if I don’t finish it? So can I continue to take the medicine after it has been opened? How long is the shelf life of the medicine after it has been opened?

First of all, we must make it clear that the expiration date of a drug is not the same as the expiration date of the drug. The expiration date of a drug refers to the maximum period of time that the drug can be used under the storage conditions specified in the instructions before it is opened . The expiration date of a drug refers to the period of time that the drug can still be used after the original packaging is opened for the first time.

Next, we will give a detailed introduction to the shelf life of different drugs after opening:

1. Preparations for use in the eyes, nose and ears

Unless otherwise specified in the instructions, the first use time after opening should not exceed 4 weeks.

2. Tablets and capsules in bottles

After the bottled tablets and capsules are opened, the expiration date is usually:

1. No more than 6 months

2. Subtract the opening date from the expiration date on the bottle, and multiply the number of months by 25%.

The shorter of the two shall prevail. (Note: The above expiration date does not include other dosage forms, such as sterile, liquid, and topical preparations)

Note: In the following cases, the card cannot be used even within the validity period.

① Moldy, obvious color change (white turns yellow, black, brown), mold spots or spots, obvious changes in smell or taste;

② Tablets or pills become loose, sugar-coated tablets break, and self-dissolve and stick together;

③The capsule begins to soften or the surface is severely adhered.

3. Bag-packed medicine

1. Since the dosage for children is small, they often take one bag in 2 or 3 times, and the rest will generally be taken within 24 hours, so there is no need to store it after opening;

2. Granules, dry suspensions, and powders suitable for children are easily affected by moisture and become ineffective after opening. The shelf life of granules or powders is generally one month after opening, and that of suspensions is 14 days after opening.

Note: The above dosage forms should not be taken if they absorb moisture, clump, or soften.

4. Plate-packed medicine, small-bottle oral liquid, etc.

Aluminum foil packaged medicines (i.e. "plate-packed medicines"), single-tube Chinese medicine oral liquids, etc., each tablet/capsule is individually sealed and will not come into contact with air. For such medicines:

1. As long as the blister/bottle is not damaged, it can generally be used before the expiration date;

2. If you need to take the tablet medicine in divided doses, such as taking half a tablet at a time, then take half a tablet first and store the remaining half tablet in a clean medicine box, or store it according to the requirements of the instructions.

5. External ointment

1. After opening, it can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 months;

2. If there are obvious particles, dissolution, water discharge, or smell of rancid oil, it cannot be used anymore.

6. Syrup

1. After opening, it can be stored at room temperature for 1-3 months;

2. When taking this type of medicine, use a measuring cup or dropper to measure the correct dose and then take it. Each time you open the bottle and pour out a certain amount of liquid, you should properly clean the bottle mouth and the measuring cup or dropper; at the same time, the opening date should be marked on the medicine bottle.

3. The next time you take it, observe whether there are a lot of bubbles, flocculent suspension, sediment, discoloration, crystallization, or rancidity, odor, etc. If the above phenomena occur, it cannot be used again.

VII. Oral solution, suspension, emulsion

1. If the bottle mouth and bottle cap are not contaminated, they can be stored at room temperature for 2 months;

2. If the oral solution is moldy, smelly, discolored, or the solvent or active ingredient evaporates significantly, it cannot be used.

3. If emulsions and suspensions are stratified, solidified or precipitated, and cannot be restored to uniformity after shaking, they cannot be used again.

We need to pay attention to the following when taking medication:

1. Any medicine should never be used if its appearance, smell, color, properties, etc. change;

2. It is recommended to clean the household medicine box every 3-6 months and dispose of spoiled medicines in time;

3. Be sure to store the medicine according to the requirements on the medicine instructions. After unpacking the medicine, remember to indicate the opening time on the packaging.

References

[1] FDA’s Enforcement Policy Guidance, “Expiration Dates for Solid Dosages Repackaged in Single-Dose Containers”

[2] Feng Kai. The shelf life of drugs will be shortened after opening [J]. Medicine and Health Care, 2013, 21(06): 53.

[3] Tang Zhi. Drugs may become ineffective even before the expiration date[J]. Gongyou, 2011, No.124(04):61.

Academic authenticity, the author is responsible for the content

Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin Children's Hospital

Author: Pharmacist Dong Jigang

Reviewer: Sun Yanyan, Chief Pharmacist

Yu He, Chief Pharmacist