Expired medication: what the date means and how to get rid of it

Most homes have a drawer or a cabinet with medicines that were bought “just in case”. Some of them expired long ago. Here is how to keep that cabinet safe and tidy.

What the expiry date means

The expiry date is the last day the manufacturer guarantees that the medicine is fully effective and safe when stored as directed. After that date, it should not be used. Some products also have a shorter period once opened, such as eye drops or liquids; the leaflet or the label tells you how long.

Where to find it

The expiry date is printed on the box and on the blister or bottle. On many prescription medicines in Europe, it is also stored in the small square DataMatrix code on the box, which an app can read.

Keep track without effort

• Check the medicine cabinet once a month, or every time you change the clocks.
• Keep medicines in their original boxes, so the date and the leaflet stay with them.
• Store them as the label says: many need a cool, dry place away from light, which usually means not the bathroom.

PillRem fills in the expiry date when you scan a box with a DataMatrix code, and reminds you before it arrives.

How to dispose of expired medicines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends:

1. Use a take-back option first. Many pharmacies and some public buildings collect unused medicines, and some services offer prepaid mail-back envelopes. In many countries, the pharmacy is the easiest place to start.
2. Flush only medicines on the official flush list. Some medicines are dangerous enough that flushing is advised when no take-back option exists. Do not flush anything that is not on the list.
3. Otherwise, use the household trash, safely: mix the medicine with something unappealing such as used coffee grounds or cat litter, do not crush tablets, seal it in a bag and throw it away. Scratch out personal details on the label before discarding the container.

Needles, inhalers and other special forms have their own rules. Ask your pharmacist.

Why it matters

Expired or leftover medicines can be taken by mistake, especially by children or by someone confused about which box is which. A tidy cabinet with only current medicines is one of the simplest safety steps at home.