Can I take expired antibiotics?
It’s important to take all the antibiotics prescribed to you, even if you’re feeling better. This will ensure your condition is fully treated. You won’t have any leftovers if you take them exactly as prescribed.
Antibiotics are prescribed to help your body fight an infection. You should never take expired medications, and this includes antibiotics.
Antibiotics begin to lose their potency or strength once they expire. For this reason, it is best to always follow the expiration date.
It is advised to never take expired antibiotics because:
- The ingredients break down over time. It may not be strong enough to treat your condition. This makes it less effective.
- It may lead to resistance. This means that the infection is stronger than the antibiotic leading to ineffective treatment. The infection can worsen and be harder to treat in the future.
Always dispose of unused or expired medications. Here are ways you can safely dispose of them.
If you are an ExactCare patient and have questions about your medication, give us a call at 1-877-355-7225. Our pharmacists are here to help!
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/dont-be-tempted-use-expired-medicines#:~:text=Certain%20expired%20medications%20are%20at,will%20be%20safe%20and%20effective.
