Most people don’t think twice about keeping an old inhaler, eye drop bottle, or cream in the medicine cabinet-until they need it. Maybe it’s been sitting there since last winter, or maybe you grabbed it during a sudden asthma flare-up because you couldn’t afford a refill. But using expired medications isn’t just a bad habit-it can be dangerous. And the risks aren’t the same for every type of medicine.
Why Expiration Dates Matter More Than You Think
Expiration dates aren’t arbitrary. They’re based on real science. Manufacturers test each medication under different conditions-heat, humidity, light-to see how long it stays stable and effective. The date you see on the package is the last day the company guarantees it will work as intended. After that? Potency drops. Safety risks rise. For example, an albuterol inhaler like Ventolin HFA is designed to deliver a precise 90-microgram dose per puff. A 2021 study in the Chest Journal found that inhalers 12 months past their expiration date delivered only 60-70% of that dose. That’s not a minor drop. In a severe asthma attack, that missing 30% could mean the difference between breathing normally and ending up in the ER. Eye drops are even more risky. Once opened, they’re no longer sterile. After expiration, bacteria can grow inside. A 2022 study in Clinical Ophthalmology found that 38% of expired artificial tears were contaminated with microbes. Using those could lead to corneal ulcers-or worse, blindness. Topical creams like hydrocortisone don’t usually become toxic after expiration, but they lose effectiveness. At room temperature, hydrocortisone drops to 65% potency six months past its date. That means a rash you could’ve treated in a week might now take three.The Hidden Danger of Expired Inhalers
Inhalers are different from pills or liquids. They’re pressurized canisters with propellants like HFA. When they expire, those propellants break down. The spray becomes weak, uneven, or stops working entirely. But here’s what most people don’t know: even when the medicine is gone, the canister is still full of gas. MedProDisposal reported in 2023 that up to 29% of expired inhalers still contain residual medication-and that’s not just useless. It’s hazardous. Throwing them in the trash can lead to explosions in garbage trucks or incinerators. That’s why the EPA classifies many inhalers as hazardous waste. The American Lung Association says using an expired inhaler during an asthma attack “could be life-threatening.” And they’re right. A 2023 case report in the Journal of Emergency Medicine described a 24-year-old who ended up hospitalized after his expired albuterol inhaler failed to stop his attack. He had used it for months because he couldn’t afford a new one.Eye Drops: A Silent Threat
Eye drops are sterile liquids meant for direct contact with your eye. Once the seal is broken, they’re vulnerable to contamination. The FDA says most eye drops should be thrown away 28 days after opening-even if the expiration date is still months away. Expired eye drops don’t just lose strength. They become breeding grounds for bacteria. The American Academy of Ophthalmology found that 42% of expired eye drop samples tested positive for microbial growth after just 30 days past expiration. That’s more than five times higher than unexpired drops. Some people think, “It’s just artificial tears-I’m not putting medicine in my eye.” But even lubricating drops can carry pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause rapid, sight-threatening infections. If your eye feels red, painful, or blurry after using an old bottle, stop using it immediately and see an eye doctor.
Topical Medications: Less Risk, Still Not Safe
Creams, ointments, and gels like hydrocortisone, antifungal creams, or even acne treatments are less dangerous than inhalers or eye drops. They won’t explode. They won’t infect your eyes. But they won’t work as well either. A 2019 study in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding showed hydrocortisone cream retained 90% potency for six months past expiration if stored below 25°C (77°F). But if it’s sitting on a bathroom counter near the shower? Heat and moisture cut that to 65%. That means your eczema flare-up might not respond at all. Also, creams can separate, change color, or smell funny. If it looks or smells off, toss it. That’s not just about effectiveness-it’s a sign the preservatives have broken down, and bacteria or mold could be growing inside.What to Do With Expired Medications
Don’t flush them. Don’t throw them in the trash. Don’t leave them in your cabinet. The safest, most responsible way to dispose of expired medications is through a drug take-back program. The DEA runs over 11,000 collection sites across the U.S., including pharmacies, hospitals, and police stations. CVS and Walgreens offer free take-back bins at nearly all their locations. Just drop in your expired inhalers, eye drops, or creams-no questions asked. If you can’t get to a drop-off site, the FDA recommends this at-home method:- Remove medication from its original container (take the inhaler apart if possible).
- Mix it with something unappetizing-used coffee grounds, kitty litter, or dirt.
- Put it in a sealed plastic bag or container.
- Throw it in the trash.
Why So Many People Still Use Expired Meds
You’d think everyone would know better. But a 2023 Reddit survey of 428 asthma patients found that 67% had used an expired inhaler. Why? Cost. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America found that 41% of low-income patients use expired inhalers because they can’t afford replacements. After ProAir HFA was discontinued in 2022, prices jumped. Medicaid patients were hit hardest. Some are choosing between buying food or refilling their inhaler. And let’s be honest-many people just don’t know the risks. A 2023 survey by the Allergy & Asthma Network found that 63% of patients thought expired inhalers could safely go in the regular trash. That’s not just ignorance-it’s a public health gap.What’s Changing in 2025
Things are starting to shift. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act gave $5 million to expand medication disposal programs. By early 2024, 47 states had launched new take-back initiatives. Propeller Health released a smart inhaler cap in Q2 2023 that alerts you 30 days before expiration and tells you where to drop it off. Community health centers partnered with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to hand out free disposal kits with education materials. And by 2027, the Healthcare Environmental Resource Center predicts 90% of major pharmacies will offer full disposal services. But rural areas still lag behind. Only 22% of rural counties have a nearby drop-off location. If you live in one of them, use the mail-back option or call the Medicine Safe Disposal Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. They’ll help you find the closest solution.When to Replace, Not Risk
Here’s a simple rule: if it’s expired, and you might need it in an emergency-replace it. - Inhalers: If you have asthma or COPD, keep a current prescription on hand. Don’t wait until your last one runs out. - Eye drops: Toss them 28 days after opening-even if the bottle says “use by 2026.” - Topical creams: If it smells strange, changed color, or dried out, throw it out. And if cost is the issue? Talk to your pharmacist. Many manufacturers offer patient assistance programs. Some pharmacies have $4 generic alternatives. Your doctor can help you find them. Using an expired inhaler during an asthma attack isn’t a gamble-it’s a gamble with your life. Expired eye drops aren’t a convenience-they’re a risk to your vision. Expired creams aren’t harmless-they’re just less effective. Your health isn’t something to stretch out. When it comes to medications, expiration dates aren’t suggestions. They’re safety lines.Can I still use an expired inhaler if it looks fine?
No. Even if the inhaler looks normal, the medicine inside may have lost potency. A 2021 study showed expired albuterol inhalers deliver only 60-70% of the correct dose. In an asthma emergency, that could mean your attack isn’t controlled. Never rely on an expired inhaler during an acute attack.
Are expired eye drops dangerous to use?
Yes. Expired eye drops can become contaminated with bacteria or fungi. A 2022 study found 38% of expired artificial tears had microbial growth. Using them can cause serious eye infections, including corneal ulcers that may lead to permanent vision loss. Always discard eye drops 28 days after opening, regardless of the printed expiration date.
Can I throw expired inhalers in the trash?
No. Expired inhalers contain pressurized gas and toxic propellants that can explode in trash trucks or incinerators. The EPA classifies them as hazardous waste. Use a drug take-back program, a free mail-back service (like Amazon Pharmacy’s), or follow FDA guidelines: remove the canister, mix the contents with coffee grounds, seal it in a plastic bag, then throw it in the trash.
Do all expired medications become toxic?
Not usually. Most expired medications don’t turn poisonous-they just lose effectiveness. The FDA says expiration dates reflect potency, not safety. But some, like nitroglycerin and epinephrine auto-injectors, degrade quickly and can become dangerous. Inhalers and eye drops are exceptions because of their delivery method and risk of contamination.
Where can I safely dispose of expired medications?
Use a drug take-back program. CVS, Walgreens, and most hospitals have free drop-off bins. The DEA lists over 11,000 collection sites nationwide. You can also use free mail-back kits from Amazon Pharmacy or your state’s health department. Call the Medicine Safe Disposal Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 for local options.
Why do some people still use expired meds?
Cost is the biggest reason. A 2022 survey found 41% of low-income asthma patients use expired inhalers because they can’t afford new ones. Others don’t know the risks or think “it’s still good.” But using expired medication during an emergency can be life-threatening. Talk to your pharmacist about low-cost alternatives or patient assistance programs.
8 Comments
Andrew Camacho
Look, I get it-people are broke. But using an expired inhaler like it’s a lucky charm? That’s not resilience, that’s Russian roulette with your lungs. I’ve seen ER docs shake their heads at guys who ‘just thought it’d work.’ It doesn’t. Not even close. That 30% drop? That’s your next ambulance ride right there. Stop gambling with your life because you’re too proud to ask for help.
And yeah, the system’s broken. But you don’t fix it by risking your death-you fix it by calling your pharmacist, asking for samples, hitting up patient programs. I’ve gotten free albuterol twice just by asking. Nobody’s gonna hand it to you, but nobody’s gonna stop you from asking either.
Arup Kuri
expirations are a scam by big pharma to make you buy more bro they just want your money the medicine dont just die after a date i used my moms ventolin from 2018 and i was fine and the doctor said its still good they just put dates to scare you also eye drops are fine if you dont use them every day like who even uses them daily anyway its just water with salt lol
Dolapo Eniola
Man, in Nigeria we don’t even have access to fresh meds half the time. You think we care about expiration dates? We care about surviving. If your inhaler still sprays and you ain’t dead yet, it’s doing its job. The West acts like we’re all sitting in labs with climate-controlled cabinets. Nah. We’re in Lagos with 40°C heat and no AC. Your 2021 study? Doesn’t apply here. We don’t have take-back bins-we have ‘hope and a prayer.’
But I ain’t mad. If you got the luxury to toss meds? Good for you. Don’t act like your safety standards are universal. We’re not lazy-we’re resourceful. And if that means using a 3-year-old hydrocortisone to keep my kid from scratching his skin off? I’ll take the risk. You wanna judge? Come to my neighborhood first.
giselle kate
So let me get this straight-our entire healthcare system is built on the assumption that people can afford to replace meds every 6 months, but if you can’t? You’re just a dumbass who deserves to choke on an asthma attack? That’s not a public health issue. That’s a moral failure dressed up as science.
And don’t even get me started on the ‘FDA says it’s safe’ nonsense. The same FDA that let opioid manufacturers lie for 20 years now wants us to trust their expiration dates? I don’t trust any of it. If they wanted us to stay safe, they’d make meds affordable. They wouldn’t make us choose between rent and a rescue inhaler.
So yeah, I’ll use my expired inhaler. And I’ll keep using it until someone makes it so I don’t have to.
Emily Craig
OH MY GOD I JUST REALIZED I’VE BEEN USING MY EYE DROPS FROM 2021 LIKE A NORMAL PERSON 😭
Like… I just squeeze it in when my eyes feel dry and think ‘eh it’s fine’ and now I’m imagining a whole colony of Pseudomonas throwing a rave in my cornea???
Also I threw my last inhaler in the trash like a savage. RIP garbage truck. I’m so sorry.
But also… why is Amazon Pharmacy the only one giving free mailers? Why does this feel like a Netflix subscription for life-saving meds? This system is broken. I’m crying. I’m throwing away my eye drops. I’m calling my pharmacist. I’m so mad.
Also why is no one talking about how the cost of inhalers went from $30 to $300???
prasad gaude
Back home in India, we have a saying: ‘If the bottle still has juice, it’s not expired-it’s just waiting for you.’ We don’t throw out medicine like trash. We stretch it. We share it. We use it until the last drop. And yes, some of us get sick. But we also survive. The West treats medicine like a luxury item with expiration dates and barcodes. Here, it’s a lifeline with no label.
That said-I agree with the science. Inhalers lose potency. Eye drops grow bacteria. But the real problem isn’t the date on the bottle. It’s the price tag. If the medicine cost $5 instead of $300, no one would be using expired stuff. The system is rigged. The science is real. The solution? Not more bins. More justice.
Timothy Sadleir
It is imperative to note that the degradation kinetics of pharmaceutical formulations are not linear and are subject to environmental variables, including but not limited to thermal stress, photodegradation, and hygroscopic absorption. The expiration date, as determined by accelerated stability testing under ICH Q1A(R2) guidelines, represents the point at which the active pharmaceutical ingredient falls below 90% of its initial potency, not merely a marketing construct.
Furthermore, the EPA’s classification of pressurized metered-dose inhalers as hazardous waste under 40 CFR 261.33 is predicated upon the presence of propellants such as hydrofluoroalkanes, which, when subjected to mechanical compression or elevated temperatures, may undergo exothermic decomposition. Disposal via municipal solid waste streams presents a quantifiable risk of particulate release and environmental contamination.
Therefore, adherence to FDA and DEA protocols is not merely advisable-it is a bioethical imperative. Failure to comply constitutes a violation of both regulatory and moral duty.
Jennifer Griffith
wait so i cant just flush my eye drops? i thought that was the whole point of the toilet?? also i used my inhaler from 2019 last week and i was fine so like… maybe the date is just a suggestion??