Medicine use by dates...

[Vitamin c]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7040264/
Many medications found to be perfectly usable up to 15 years past their use by date.
If stored in the right conditions those conditions are in a cool and not damp dark environment like many of our food preps.

[Kiwififer]

I was once given excellent advice on here not to buy an expensive first aid kit and to purchase a workplace replacement box which had all the same things in it but at a fraction of the price. I dare say some things might be out of date in it now but it’s stored in my rucksack in the attic as part of my stores.

It’s like buying own brand ibuprofen and Neurofen. It’s the same stuff yet my wife only takes the more expensive stuff. I would not have a problem taking slightly out of date meds.

[Mad Scientist]

While some meds will keep for ages under the right conditions, others, like aspirin will degrade into other things because they’re slightly unstable and will not be the meds you started with. At best they’ll be harmless/useless, at worst a pretty different thing altogether.Chuck out anything 6 months or more past its expiration date.

[Jeffjones297]

As well as a cool dark place, if the medications are out of the box but still in strips, put them in an envelope.
Sunlight damages meds and capsules.
Anything stored in a clear package or bottle should be wrapped (and labeled of course).

[jansman]

The dates on medicine actually mean something. I was given an emergency increase in my anti seizure medication last week. I was told it had five days by the pharmacist- NO MORE! - his words. It’s ok taking the odd ,out of date OTC medication,but when your life depends upon it ,that date is real!

[unsure]

ive taken ibuprofen thats years past its date on the box , well same with most over the counter meds .
i won`t use creams on open wounds that`s past its date once opened , but first aid stuff , if its bad enough to need it , id rather take a chance than bleed a lot

[rik_uk3]

Shelf-Life Extension Program (SLEP)

https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedn ... se%20(DoD).

[Peter]

I know as aspirin deteriorates it smells of acetic acid, but I don’t know about any other pain killers, which would
be the most commonly used OTC medicines we would have to rely on SHTF.

If anyone knows more about the shelf life of the most useful meds it would be helpful. Paracetamol, Ibuprofen,
also Imodium and Piriton etc.

As for wound creams like Savlon, Germoline, Sudocream, (don’t forget Manuka honey), Anthisan or an antihistamine,
I keep open tubes in the kitchen first aid kit for everyday use, but for SHTF emergency stock at least two of
everything unopened.

Prescription medicines are in a different league, for example heart or high blood-pressure tablets, build up stocks
if you can but try and find out if there are any tried and tested herbal remedies that could extend the medication,
ie Hawthorn for heart and blood pressure, extract capsules (internet) or collect the berries for hawthorn tea.

[GillyBee]

I just found this which suggests ibuprofen is likely fine for a long while post expiry. https://drugsdetails.com/does-ibuprofen-expire/

[Peter]

Thanks GillyBee, my take on this article is.....with 90% of the medication tested, including 100 OTC medicines, even though there was some loss of effectiveness they would not be harmful after 15 years past the expiratory date. And all medicines should be stored correctly in a cool dry place.

So myself I would not worry about any medication 5 to7 years out of date (this is what we will work to) and as we keep to
stock rotation to all our preps I see no problems occurring.