It's my Calcium supplements. I've been thinking since last week if I should continue taking them even when it says on the label that it will expire this month. Now that it's October 1st, I decided to do some research before I gulped one this afternoon.I found these 2 very interesting articles that you might want to read:
Do Medications Really Expire?
When Do Medications Actually Expire?
If you don't want to read, let me just give you the gist of these 2 articles. According to them, the expiration dates on medicines were just put there by manufacturers mostly because it's not going to be profitable for them if they don't. Plus, it's a requirement for them to put expiration dates on medicines, it's mandated by law.
Also, based on these 2 articles, the expiration date on medicines is just a marking point for manufacturers to let us consumers know that the meds might have lost their potency or their intensity after that date. But, it doesn't mean that it's no longer safe to still take them. Heck, the author of the Medscape.com article I mentioned above even proves that a 4-year expired Tylenol still worked for his mother-in-law.
HOWEVER, according to both articles, not because the expiration date doesn't reflect exactly how long a medicine would have its effect or potency, we should ignore it completely. IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON THAT MEDICINE, after the expiration date, TOSS IT! If it's just for headaches, upset stomach, or, like mine, a Calcium supplement, it's okay to take it as long as it doesn't look rotten or something.
Soooo... I took that Calcium med earlier. I don't feel anything crazy. I just don't want to throw it away since it still has about 50+ tablets in it.
Wow. I love this new knowledge. :)
