This is an automatically translated article.
Article written by Pharmacist Dinh Thi My Hanh - Faculty of Pharmacy - Vinmec Central Park International Hospital
Expiration dates can vary widely between different drugs and formulations. For example, the dry tablet form may have a longer shelf life than the liquid solution. You should not use the medicine after the expiry date.
1. What is the expiry date of the drug?
When drugs are manufactured, by law, the product must be marked with an expiration date so that you know when the medicine is still available. After the expiration date, the medicine will not keep as effective as expected or is no longer safe to use. Medicines lose their effectiveness over time because the chemicals in them can be broken down into inactive products by the action of heat, light, or oxygen. Medicines can also become dangerous due to changes in the chemical composition of these substances.
Always check the expiry date before taking the medicine. If your medicine looks, smells or colors differently than when you first bought it, even if it's still within its expiry date, see your pharmacist for advice.
2. Where is the expiry date found?
You can find the expiration date on the medicine packaging or on the label with the words:
Expiry (Expiry) Expiry date (Expiry date) EXP Use by date/ use before the expiration date stated on the medicine by the manufacturer or the pharmacist supplying the medicine (for topical preparations).
>>> Why does a drug have many different dosage forms?
Hạn sử dụng tìm thấy trên vỏ bao bì thuốc
3. Distinguishing how to read the expiration date
If on the medicine box is printed words like “expiry”, expiration date” (Expiry date, EXP). For example, if the expiry date is July 2020 (HSD: 07.2020) then you can use the medicine until the end of July 31 and should not take it after this date. If the word "use by date/ use before" is printed on the medicine box, it means that you should not take the medicine after the expiry date printed on the box. For example, if the box says “Use before: 07.2020” it means that the medicine should not be taken after June 30, 2020. If your doctor or pharmacist tells you how to take a certain medicine and there is a note on it. regarding drug use or withdrawal, you should follow these instructions. For example, your pharmacist might label a medicine: "Discard 7 days after opening".
You should bring any remaining medicines after this time back to the pharmacist for disposal, even if the medicine is still within the manufacturer's expiry date.
4. Medicines that need to be taken care of, check the expiry date before using
You need to be especially careful with certain medicines used for emergencies that can be life-threatening such as:
EpiPen® to treat severe allergic reactions (currently not available in the US) Glyceryl trinitrate or GTN for angina and chest pain Diabetes insulin injections Short shelf life drugs
Prepared antibiotic mixes : when pharmacists add water to powdered antibiotics, it makes changes in product stability and a pharmacist will give a shelf life of 1 or 2 weeks, depending on the product and manufacturer's instructions Eye drops are another special case. Medicines can become contaminated with bacteria after opening, so a general rule of thumb is to never use eye drops after their expiry date and throw them away 28 days after you open them, even if it's not yet due. expired.
Trước khi sử dụng Insulin, người bệnh cần kiểm tra hạn sử dụng của thuốc
5. Safe storage of medicines
In order for the medicine to be effective until the expiry date, you need to store it properly according to the instructions on the manufacturer's packaging. Examples may include storing below 25°C, in a dark place or in a refrigerator between 2-8°C, and out of reach of children.
You should check all medications regularly and discard those that are past their expiration date or you no longer need. If you discover that you have used an expired medicine, see your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.
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References: healthdirect.gov.au, nhs.uk
