Food has expiration dates, and 66 percent of Americans surveyed said they regularly clean out their refrigerators. But what about expired medications? Only 31 percent look at expiration dates on drugs. Half of the people surveyed said they've taken expired medications.
Medication Expiration Dates Are Important
Taking expired medications – both over-the-counter types and prescription drugs – can even be harmful. Drugs lose their potency, and the harm is that you don't get your full dosage.
It is important to give your medicine supply an annual makeover, and to make sure your medicines are stored properly and have not expired.
By the way, use the bathroom medicine cabinet for toothpaste and such, not drugs. Overexposure to moisture, heat, and humidity can lower the potency of certain drugs. So keep medications in a cool, dry hallway or linen closet instead.
The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive for McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals. |
