The People's Perspective on Medicine

How Bad Is Past-Date Medicine?

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Terry Graedon

September 09, 2014

8 Comments

Terry Graedon

September 09, 2014

8 Comments

Q. The expiration date on all my medicine is one year after the prescription is filled. Does this mean the Percocet I have on hand for a bad back becomes toxic after that time or is it just ineffective?

A. If your pain medicine is only a few months out of date it is unlikely to be ineffective or toxic. The one-year discard date is for the convenience of the pharmacist and does not necessarily reflect the manufacturer’s actual expiration date.

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About the Author

Terry Graedon

Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies.Read Terry's full bio.

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The People's Perspective on Medicine

How Bad Is Past-Date Medicine?

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