Can you take vitamins after their expiration date?

Like other drugs and foods, vitamins often have an expiration date. Vitamins can be taken after the expiration date on the label. Power, to what extent the product works or causes a certain effect, can decrease over time.

It may be sure to take expired vitamins, but expired drugs may not be effective. An “expiration date” is the last date that a drug manufacturer can guarantee that a drug is sure to use and operates as it should be at full power. The “shelf life” of a drug is the duration of the duration of the use.

The Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA) recommends that drug manufacturers complete studies to determine the expiration and duration of conservation of products. However, it is not necessary for all vitamins and supplements.

Taking an expired vitamin is not likely to harm you. Vitamin may not be so powerful or work as well. People can take vitamin to increase their nutrient levels, reduce their health risk or treat a specific health problem. If the supplement of vitamins is not powerful, it may not offer nutrients or health benefits that a person wants or needs.

Most drugs approved by the FDA keep at least 70 to 80% of their power for one to two years after the expiration date. Some drugs are not recommended for use after expiration due to safety problems. These include nitroglycerin, insulin and certain antibiotics.

How to know if your supplement has expired

Read the label of your vitamin products to see the recommended expiration date or the shelf life. Some pharmaceutical companies also list a “better before” or “use by” the date of the label of their products.

The retention period of supplements is generally approximately two years, as long as they are stored properly. Vitamins in the form of tablets or capsule can be the most stable and the surest to use after expiration if they are stored correctly.

Chewable or gum vitamins absorb humidity, so that they may not last as long as tablets or capsules. This can be seen if gummies stand with each other or are more difficult than usual. Liquid vitamins can deteriorate and decompose the fastest and take place before the expiration date if they are not stored correctly.

If you notice a change in color, odor, texture or consistency of a vitamin, it is best not to take it. This can be a sign that the product is not as powerful or can make you sick. If you notice that the pills remain together, are cracked or are softer than normal, they may not be sure to take.

All vitamins lose their power over time. Some factors can speed up the process. Examples of factors that can affect power include:

• Exposure to air or oxygen
• Exposure to direct light
• Exposure to humidity or wet environments
• Exposure to extremely high or low temperatures

There are multiple ways of eliminating expired drugs. One way is to find a local recovery program that will safely eliminate medication for you. Some companies also offer prepaid mail return envelopes that you can use to send old medicines. Check with your local hospital, pharmacy or government to see if they participate in drug recovery programs.

If you do not have recovery programs for available local drugs, there are several ways to have safe medicines. Avoid throwing vitamins and other drugs in the trash or putting them in a drain or toilet. The elimination of drugs in this way can be harmful to the environment. The FDA recommends the following steps to get rid of unwanted vitamins:

• Mix the vitamin product with unwanted material such as a coffee grounds, cat litter or dirt.
• Place the mixture in a sealed bag or container, such as a plastic drinking bottle.
• Throw the container in your usual garbage.

If you are not sure of the best way to have old vitamins, consult a pharmacist or other health care provider.

The appropriate storage of your vitamins can help maximize their shelf life. Advice to store your vitamins include:

• Keep the vitamins in a cool and dry space far from direct light. Avoid putting vitamins in hot or humid places such as bathrooms, near the kitchen stove or hot cars.
• Keep the bottle well closed and the drug in its original container.
• Take the cotton ball out of the drug bottle. Cotton brings humidity in the bottle.
• Keep vitamins out of reach of children or animals.

Speak with your pharmacist or health care provider specific recommendations for storage of vitamins.

Vitamins are one of the most common supplements used by adults and children. Like other drugs and foods, vitamins often have an expiration date. Although vitamins can be taken after the expiration date on the label, their power can decrease over time.

If you notice a change in color, odor, texture or consistency of a vitamin, it is best not to take it. You can get rid of expired vitamins by sending them to a drug recovery program or by safe.

Store vitamins in a cool and dry place. Avoid places that can be hot, humid or changing temperature, such as your bathroom, car or kitchen. Speak with a health care provider if you have more questions about expired vitamin products.