Out-of-date medicines

5-minute read

Key facts

When the chemicals in medicines break down, they can become dangerous.
All medicines (including tablets, creams, liquids and others) display their expiry date on the packaging.
Don't keep unused medicines past their expiry dates.
Take expired medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Throwing unwanted medicines in the bin or flushing them down the toilet is dangerous and harms the environment.

What is an out-of-date medicine?

All medicines have an expiry date. This is the point in time when the medicine will no longer work as well. Medicines should not be used past their expiry date. This includes prescribed as well as over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.

Expiry dates can vary widely between different medicines. For example, tablets are likely to have a later expiry date than liquids. It doesn't matter what form your medicine is in — all medicines expire, including:

patches
creams
lotions
ointments
liquids
injections
tablets and capsules

The law states that each medicine's expiry date must be written on the packaging. You might find it underneath a label, on the lid of a bottle or at the end of a tube of cream. If you can't find it, ask your pharmacist for help.

Why do medicines expire?

Medicines lose their effectiveness over time because they are made up of chemicals that break down as time passes. They may also become dangerous due to a change in their chemical makeup. Taking old medicines can cause harm, or even be fatal, especially if you are taking them for a serious health condition.

Which medicines do I need to watch out for?

All medicines expire, but you need to be particularly careful with certain medicines for serious medical conditions such as:

adrenaline autoinjectors (EpiPen and Anapen) for the treatment of severe allergic reaction
glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) for angina and chest pain
insulin for diabetes

Compounded medicines are tailor made medicines created for you by your pharmacist. These usually expire quicker than other medicines (usually 28 days or less) so it is important to store them according to the pharmacist's instructions. This is because they can be particularly sensitive to conditions such as storage temperatures. This also applies to some liquid antibiotic preparations (examples include some children’s antibiotics) — once they have been prepared by your pharmacist, they generally expire within 14 days. If you aren’t sure, check with your pharmacist.

Learn more about compounded medicines.

Eye drops have strict expiry dates, as they become less effective when they are out-of-date. Eye drops can also become contaminated with bacteria. Never use eye drops after their expiry date, and make sure to throw them out 28 days after you've opened them, even if it is before the expiry date.

What is the safest way to store my medicines?

For your medicines to stay effective until the expiry date, you need to store them properly.

Different medicines need different storage conditions. Always follow the instructions on the packaging, which might include storage below 25°C, in a dark place or in the refrigerator. Ask your pharmacist how to store each medicine when you purchase it from the pharmacy. This applies to both prescribed and over-the-counter medicines.

All medicines (including patches, creams, lotions, ointments, liquids, injections and tablets) should be locked away and kept out of reach of children.

If you take several medicines or have a complex health condition, it is a good idea to have your medicines reviewed every 6 to 12 months. Talk to your GP or pharmacist about a Home Medicines Review.

What do I do if I have been taking expired medicines?

If you discover that you have been taking expired medicine, talk to your pharmacist or your doctor. You might need to get a new batch.

How can I safely dispose of my expired or unused medicines?

It's a good idea to check your medicines regularly and safely dispose of any that are out of date or that you no longer need. You can return them to your local pharmacy. Flushing them down the toilet or putting them in a rubbish bin can be dangerous and can harm the environment.

Over-the-counter and prescription medicines, gels, creams, liquids, herbal or complementary supplements and pet medicines can all be returned to your local pharmacy Your pharmacist will place them in special bins.