What will expired hydrocodone do

This could potentially have a significant impact on cost. Although the study suggests that expiration dates don't equate to shelf life, Gardner cautions that the findings "don't mean you should go digging through the trash for your expired meds just yet. Previously: Is disposing of unused drugs in household trash the most environmental option?

Advanced features of this website require that you enable JavaScript in your browser. Thank you! Through this important program many tons of unneeded and out-date drugs have been removed for proper disposal. However, certain medicines are specifically recommended for flushing down a toilet or sink because they could be especially harmful, even fatal, to a child, pet, or anyone else if taken accidentally.

For a list of medicines recommended for disposal by flushing, as well as other information on proper disposal, please see the Disposal of Unused Medicines page. Proper storage is one way to help make sure your medicines will remain safe and effective up to their expiration date.

Be sure to read the label to see if there are specific storage instructions for your medicine. Certain medicines need to be stored in the refrigerator and others cannot be exposed to high temperatures. Improper storage — such as a damp bathroom cabinet — can contribute to decreased effectiveness in medicines that have not reached their posted expiration date. For most medicines, to help ensure the proper shelf life of your medicine, it is better to store medicine in a cool, dry place such as a dresser drawer, storage box, closet shelf, or kitchen cabinet.

When storing medicine in a kitchen cabinet make sure that it is away from hot appliances and the sink due to changing temperatures and humidity, which can affect the medicine. Vogel says, you could get worse or risk your infection developing resistance against the antibiotic.

Plus, the fundamental composition of antibiotics changes over time, which can cause issues on its own. Probably not. With most over-the-counter OTC medication, taking expired drugs will either help you or have no effect—the medicine could no longer be potent. A lot of things can degrade medicine more quickly than normal: light exposure, temperature, and humidity.

Contrary to popular belief, the medicine cabinet is not the right place to keep your pills. The bathroom is far too hot and steamy for proper storage of medication. Some medications require refrigeration and special handling, Dr. Supe says, so be sure to follow the package directions carefully. You should also consider the source of the medication.

There have been many instances where people have purchased medication online from another country due to cost and it has contained rat poison and no traces of the active ingredients it claims to have. Some medications are simply ineffective after their expiration. Others, like these, are harmful. Vogel says.