I have tons of old medications from prescriptions that I never finished, or giant Costco bottles of Advil etc. A doctor that I know told me that the expiration dates mean nothing and that they are just Big Pharma’s way to insert some planned obsolescence into their products.
Is this true? If not, what actually happens to the medications after their expiration dates?
In: Chemistry
> A doctor that I know told me that the expiration dates mean nothing and that they are just Big Pharma’s way to insert some planned obsolescence into their products.
Your doctor friend should have his medical license revoked for spreading conspiracy bullshit.
> Is this true? If not, what actually happens to the medications after their expiration dates?
No it’s most definitely not. For most medications the answer is that the medication is simply not tested beyond that length of date. Therefore the manufacture can make no claim as to its effectiveness. Generally, especially for over the counter drugs they just become less effective over time, though not necessarily by the end date. However for drugs where precise dosage is important such as insulin or antibiotics lowered potency can be deadly. Finally in rare cases the drug can break down into something toxic. But planned obsolescence? No, not remotely.
Latest Answers