What happens when you take expired medicine
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Effects of Taking Expired Medicine
Efficacy and Safety of Expired Medicine
When considering the use of expired medications, it is crucial to understand their efficacy and safety. A comparative study examined the effects of expired and non-expired medications on 100 animals, divided into two groups: Group A (non-expired drugs) and Group B (expired medicines). Both groups received the same drug for one month. The study found that both expired and non-expired medications were effective in alleviating symptoms, with no significant difference in efficacy between the two groups. However, Group B, which received expired medications, experienced a slightly higher rate of adverse events, primarily gastrointestinal disturbances, compared to Group A, which reported moderate headaches as the most common adverse event1. This suggests that while expired medications can still be beneficial, they carry a higher risk of unpleasant side effects.
Knowledge and Disposal Practices of Expired Medicine
The proper disposal of expired medications is another critical aspect to consider. A cross-sectional study conducted among pharmacy and nursing students at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, revealed significant insights into their knowledge and practices regarding expired medicine. The study found that a majority of students, 57.4% of pharmacy students and 53.4% of nursing students, check the expiry date before procuring medicine. However, a considerable number of students, 37.6% of pharmacy students and 52.5% of nursing students, keep unused medicine until it expires. When it comes to disposal, 78.9% of pharmacy students and 80.5% of nursing students reported discarding expired medicine in household garbage or flushing it down a sink or toilet, which are unsafe disposal methods. Only a small percentage returned leftover medicine to a medical store2. These findings highlight the need for increased awareness and education on proper medicine disposal procedures among healthcare students.
Conclusion
In summary, while expired medications may still be effective in treating certain conditions, they pose a higher risk of adverse effects, particularly gastrointestinal issues. It is essential for patients and healthcare providers to dispose of expired medications properly and avoid using them as substitutes for new medications. Additionally, there is a significant need for educational initiatives to improve the knowledge and practices regarding the disposal of expired medicines among healthcare students.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Comparative Study of Expired and Non-expired Medicine
Expired drugs can be beneficial in treating certain illnesses, but they should be used with caution due to potential adverse effects.
Knowledge and Disposal Practice of Leftover and Expired Medicine: A Cross-Sectional Study from Nursing and Pharmacy Students’ Perspectives
Most pharmacy and nursing students in Saudi Arabia improperly dispose of expired medicine, with only a small percentage returning leftover medicine to a medical store.
Observational Study
Rigorous JournalFDA urges proper disposal of unused or expired medications
Drug take back programs can help protect families from accidental ingestion and fatalities by safely disposing of potentially lethal medicines.
An analysis of unused and expired medications in Mexican households
Unused and expired medications in Mexican households pose a health risk and environmental pollution challenge, with most being prescription drugs purchased at private pharmacies.
Observational StudyExpired Medication: Societal, Regulatory and Ethical Aspects of a Wasted Opportunity
Managing expired medications globally is a global challenge due to lack of regulations, unreasonable patient behavior, and improper understanding of the concept of "expired medications".
Literature ReviewRigorous Journal
Highly CitedThe American Medicine Chest Challenge: Evaluation of a Drug Take-Back and Disposal Campaign.
The American Medicine Chest Challenge social marketing campaign effectively influenced public attitudes and behaviors towards prescription drug take-back programs, promoting safe disposal and reducing drug availability.
Observational StudyDisposal practices of unused and expired pharmaceuticals among general public in Kabul
Improper disposal of unused and expired medicines in Kabul leads to environmental and health risks, requiring a robust pharmaceutical waste management program and media campaign.
Observational StudyRigorous JournalHighly CitedStorage and disposal of expired medicines in home pharmacies: emerging public health problems
High rates of inappropriate medicine disposal practices in home pharmacies impact pharmacological treatment and the environment, highlighting the need for ongoing education for healthcare professionals and the general public.
Observational StudyShould We Use Expired Drugs When Necessary?
Physicians have a duty to place their patient's welfare above their own self-interest, and synchronizing drug expiry dates with scientific findings is crucial in resource-poor settings.
Case ReportDisposal practices of unused and expired pharmaceuticals among the general public in Quetta city, Pakistan
Improper storage and disposal of unused and expired medications is common among the general public in Quetta city, Pakistan, highlighting the need for awareness and strengthened pharmaceutical waste management programs.
Observational StudyRigorous Journal