You know that feeling when you have almost forgotten about the medicine, so much so that the thought of it makes you cringe? This is mostly because we find an excuse to delay their usage every time they are due. Drugs have a definite shelf life and if they have exceeded it, there could be harmful side effects that could be fatal in some cases. Hence keeping track of their expiry date is crucial at all times. Here are some helpful tips on how to check the expiry date of medicines online:
How To Check Expiry Date Of Medicine Online?
Check the Label
Sometimes, the expiry date will already be written on the label. If not, it might be printed on the packaging. However, you should keep in mind that the information on the label is only accurate if the packaging is unopened. You should also check the date on which the medicine was manufactured. If you don’t see any information about the expiration date and you’re not sure how long the medicine is supposed to be kept, you can search online for the name of the drug and the “uses” section of it. There may be a note in the description that says, “Keep this medication in your medicine cabinet for six months.”
Use Helping Hand App
Helping Hand is a medication reminder app that helps you keep track of your medication, including the expiry date. You can keep track of as many medications as you want with this app and set reminders for when you need to take them again. You can choose to set reminders for the next time you need to take the drug, or for the expiry date. You can set reminders for once a day, once a week, or once a month. Once you select the frequency of the reminder, Helping Hand will ask you to choose the date. You can pick the date when you need to take the drug again, or the date when you need to throw it out.
Check Using eMpathy
eMpathy is a drug-information app that allows you to find information about the drugs you’re taking. It allows you to enter the name of the drug, the quantity, and the expiry date and then tells you if the medicine is safe to be taken or not. If you’re not sure of the name of the drug, you can take a picture of the pill and the app will provide information about it. It also shows you the names of other drugs that have the same combination of ingredients. This is helpful if you’re taking two or more drugs. You can then see the side effects of both medications and make sure that they don’t clash with each other.
Check Using Expiry Date Finder
Expiry Date Finder is another useful app that you can use to find out the expiry date of your medicines. However, unlike eMpathy, this app allows you to enter information about all your medications, not just the ones you take daily. This app allows you to enter the name of the medication, the quantity, and the expiry date. You can also enter the number of pills you have left and the app will tell you when you should throw them away. The app has a simple interface and is easy to use. It also has a feature that allows you to send information about the medicine to your doctor.
Check Using Goodrx
GoodRx is a popular app that allows you to track your medications and find discounts on the prescription drugs that you take. It has a feature that allows you to enter the name of the drug, the quantity, and the expiry date. The app will then tell you if the medicine is safe to be taken and if you should throw it away. It also shows you the price of the same drug at different stores so that you can buy it for the cheapest price. Goodrx has a feature that allows you to create a list of drugs that you take regularly. You can add the quantity of each drug and the frequency with which you take it. The app will then remind you when you should be taking each drug again.
What Happens When You Take Out-of-Expiration Medication?
When a medication expires, it means that the drug may no longer be safe or effective. If you take a prescription drug that has expired, it’s important to understand the potential risks and side effects.
The active ingredient in medication can break down over time. This breakdown can cause the medication to be less effective. In some cases, the expired medication may even become harmful.
If you take an expired medication and experience any adverse side effects, you should contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately.
It’s important to note that not all medications become harmful when they expire. In many cases, the expiration date is simply a conservative estimate of how long the medication will remain effective.
Why Is It Important To Check The Medicine Expiry Date?
It can save your life!
If you fail to check the expiry date on your medication, you run the risk of it becoming expired which means it should not be taken. If you take expired medication, it can seriously hurt your health. It can cause severe allergic reactions, altered blood sugar levels, and even death! There is a reason why you should always check the expiry date on your medication. It’s not just to avoid the slight inconvenience of going to the pharmacy again – it’s to save your life. You don’t want to risk anything.
It can stop your medication from working
There are many reasons why your medication may not be working as well as you think. The first thing to check is the expiry date. If the medication is old, it may not be working anymore because it has expired. Most medications are good for about one to two years at most. Not only does your medication stop being effective, but it could also cause serious side effects as well. Some of these include nausea, dizziness, and even death. If your medication is not working as it should, go to a doctor immediately. They can either re-prescribe your medication or check to see if there is something more serious going on.
It can cause serious side effects
The side effects of expired medication can be very serious. They can often lead to more severe illnesses and conditions. For example, if you take expired antibiotics, they may not be able to kill the bacteria that you have in your system. This puts you at a higher risk of developing an infection. It also makes it more difficult to treat as the antibiotic is no longer effective. If your medication is expired, it could lead to rhabdomyolysis. This condition damages the skeletal muscles which can lead to acute kidney failure. It can also cause several other serious conditions like tendinitis and myositis. If you find that your medication has caused you to develop an illness or has increased the symptoms of your condition, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. They can help you come up with a new plan of action.
It can be highly dangerous to your health
If your medication is expired, it could cause more severe illness and complications than you ever thought possible. Expired medication can cause a severe allergic reaction and even death. If you are using a steroidal eye drop, for example, and you take it when it is expired, the risk of blindness is very high. Expired medication can cause all sorts of life-threatening conditions. Some examples include neurological problems, blood clots, and seizures. Expired medication can also make you feel terrible. It can cause nausea, dizziness, and even vomiting. It is better to be safe than sorry. You don’t want to put your health in jeopardy because you forgot to check the expiry date on your medication.
Final Words
While checking the expiry date of your medicines is important, it is equally crucial that you also check the ‘Best before date’ printed on them. The ‘Best before date’ is the date till which the product is guaranteed to be fresh enough for its purpose. After this date, the drug may be effective but not as fresh as it was before. So, it is recommended to discard the drugs that have passed their best before date.
