Is it okay to use expired medicine?

Most of us would be afraid to use medication long after its expiration date. 

However, a recent study found that many prescription drugs stay potent for years past that date, as long as they’re unopened and have been stored properly. The researchers analyzed eight prescription drugs between 28 and 40 years old and found their potency had not changed at all.

Because drug manufacturers are extra conservative with expiration dates, they err on the side of caution, and so should you, especially for drugs used to manage a chronic or serious health condition. However, don’t be too quick to toss that standard pain reliever or decongestant. They should be fine for up to five years past the expiration date.