Beyond-Use and Expiration Date Differences

Beyond-Use and Expiration Date Differences More in Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Symptoms Diagnosis A beyond-use date is a date placed on a prescription by a pharmacy noting when that prescription should no longer be used. It will often say  discard after ... or do not use after ... The general practice is for this to be one year from the date the prescription was filled. How the Beyond-Use Date Is Determined This date is determined by the pharmacy when they fill a prescription based on different factors, including: The type of drug and how fast it degradesThe dosage of the medicationThe type of container being usedThe storage conditions the medication is expected to be inHow long the medication will be takenHow likely it is that there will be any sort of contamination while the prescription is being filled Is Beyond-Use Different From Expiration? The beyond-use date is almost always different than the actual expiration date of the drug. An  expiration date  is  a point  at which a manufacturer can no longer guarantee the strength or safety of a medication. Because the expiration date is established by testing a drug in specific conditions related to storage containers, lighting, temperature, etc., this date, as per the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is compromised by changing any of these conditions. This includes moving a medication to a different container, which is the normal practice for pharmacies dispensing prescriptions. Beyond-Use Date The date when the prescription should no longer be used. Determined by the pharmacy when they fill a prescription. Based on the type of drug, how fast it degrades, dosage, type of container, storage conditions, prescription length, the likelihood of contamination. Expiration Date The date  at which a manufacturer can no longer guarantee the strength or safety of a medication. Determined by the US Food and Drug Administration. Based on testing a drug in specific conditions related to storage containers, lighting, temperature, etc. Why Beyond-Use Dates? Due to the potential changes in conditions when a prescription is filled, the US Pharmacopeia, which is the official public standards-setting authority for all prescription and over-the-counter medicines and other healthcare products manufactured or sold in the United States, recommends the practice of beyond-use dates for prescriptions. According to the American Medical Association, the beyond-use date on a medications label should be no later than the expiration date on the manufacturer’s container and the medication should not be used after the beyond-use date. Importance of Expiration Dates The FDA says its dangerous to take medications after their expiration date because they may not be as effective, their chemical composition may have changed, or they may have deteriorated to a point where harmful bacteria could breed. Particularly with antibiotics, its important to watch the expiration date because using an expired antibiotic means it may not be potent enough to completely treat your infection, leaving you at risk for a worse one. The bottom line is that it is best to not use expired medications because there is no guarantee that they will work the way they are supposed to and they may even make you worse. Pay Attention to Medication Expiration Dates How to Safely Store Medications Medications need to be stored safely to help keep their chemical compositions intact and stop them from becoming breeding grounds for bacteria. Storing them properly until they are expired keeps them safe and at maximum potency. Make sure you are storing your medication according to directions.  If the prescription says to store it in the refrigerator, make sure you do. If it says not to expose it to high temperatures, dont store it right next to the stove.Store most medications in a cool, dry area.  Bathroom medicine cabinets, though a popular place to store your  medications  are not a good idea because of the heat and steam that accumulate during showers. This can lead to your medications becoming less effective or even dangerous before the expiration date.Consider locking them up.  Prescription drug abuse is at an all-time high and accidental overdosing and poisoning does happen when kids or pets get into medications. A locked box may be a wise solution.