How Long Do Expired Dog Medications Last?

How long do dog medications really last?

Our customer service department gets a lot of emails from dog lovers. Recently, they forwarded over some emails they thought were best suited for me, the Irreverent Veterinarian. They knew that I would speak the truth whether pet owners and vets liked it or not.

The question that I’ll address today is “Can I give my dog expired medication?”

All medications have an expiration date on their label. There are several factors that can affect the shelf life, including exposure to light, lack of appropriate refrigeration, and the chemical instability of the product that can occur with time. This last is the part that can be hard to determine with many products. With some liquid medications – it can be obvious by a color change or change in consistency.

Most veterinarians, physicians, and pharmacists will tell you to honor the expiration date on the package. That is the safest way to ensure that the medication is stable. They are also concerned about liability issues, specifically if they recommend that you use a medication and it is not safe or effective.

Here is some information about the expirations of some medication types:

Pills And Capsules

The expiration of a medication varies based on several factors, including the type of medication and the manufacturer. Most oral pills or capsules expire in 1 to 2 years from the date of manufacturing. Are they good longer than this?

It’s hard to determine. Some oral pills or capsule medications are good for longer than their expiration dates, but that’s impossible to predict.

For some medications, I would feel comfortable using them on my own pets if they were expired by 1 to 2 years. I’d replace them if they were any older than that.

If a pet is extremely ill, I would NOT use any expired medication.

Liquid Oral Medications

Most liquid medications that are not reconstituted also have a shelf life of 1 to 2 years but once reconstituted (mixed with water – such as powered amoxicillin is mixed with water) – most expire in about 7 to 14 days depending on the specific product.

Most will have a longer shelf life if they are refrigerated. However, there are a few liquid medications that are less stable if refrigerated and they should clearly say so on the package.

The shelf life once reconstituted is real. If your vet mixes the liquid and says it expires in 7 or 14 days – then I’d honor that.

Medication still in powder form is probably still good for 1 to 2 years beyond the expiration on the label.

Injectable Medications

Injectable medications are generally considered less stable and often have shorter shelf lives than an oral pill or capsule medication. Some unopened medications can be chemically stable for at least 1 year beyond expiration. Once opened, it is best to honor the labeled expiration date.

Before you use any liquid medication, make sure that the color is the same and there are no abnormalities. If it was previously clear and it is now cloudy, even if it has NOT expired, I’d question the stability of this medication. Follow the recommendations on the bottle for best results regarding shelf life.

There are liquid medications (such as insulin) that are made in smaller vials, so, if you are using less than expected, consider asking the pharmacist if it is available in smaller portions to minimize waste.

Many insulin medications expire 30 days from the date you open them. This is the safest way to use the expiration dates on the package. The consequences of using insulin that is bad can be dangerous.

My Final Thoughts – Should you use expired medications?

If your pet is critically ill, I’d say no, don’t use ANY expired medications. It is not worth the risk of a reaction or problem from using expired medications.

Disclaimer

The Irreverent Veterinarian is a columnist that regularly contributes to PetPlace.com. The goal is to add a balanced and alternative view on some controversial pet issues. As happens with all of us, veterinarians can’t always say what they really think without offending some clients. This commentary allows vets to say what they think and give you, the pet owner, the opportunity to consider another view. All opinions are those of the Irreverent Veterinarian and not the views of PetPlace.com and are not endorsed by PetPlace.com.