Can I still take the medicine after opening it?

Can I still take the medicine after opening it?

Parents of babies: "Pharmacist, we still have half a bottle of this medicine at home. Can we continue to take it?" This is a question we are often asked at the counter. However, medicine is not food. It cannot be used up all at once after opening. It is also common to store it before using it. So can the medicine still be taken after opening?

As we all know, medicines are special commodities. The safety of medicines is related to the life and health of the people. The validity period of medicines directly affects the efficacy of medicines. In life, medicines are easily affected by sunlight, air, temperature, humidity, fungi, pests, etc. and become deteriorated and ineffective. Therefore, after opening the medicine, you can no longer refer to the validity period on the package to store and take it. The following is the storage time of common medicines after opening summarized by pharmacists for parents.

Bottled tablets and capsules: If tablets become discolored, loose, sticky, or the sugar coating cracks, or if capsules become softened or have severe surface adhesion, or if the medicines are improperly stored and any of the following conditions occur, it means the medicines have deteriorated and should no longer be taken!

Bag-packed granules and powders: If they absorb moisture, soften and clump, or deliquescence occurs, they cannot be used anymore.

Suspensions and syrups: Do not use if any deterioration occurs, such as rancidity, gas, floccules, discoloration of the precipitate, crystallization, etc.

Ointment: If obvious particles, dissolution, water leakage, etc. appear, it should not be used anymore.

Finally, parents should check the first aid box at home regularly. After opening, medicines should be kept strictly according to the storage instructions on the instructions. Expired and spoiled medicines should also be disposed of in a timely manner to create a safe and healthy family environment for our babies.

References:

【1】Wu Jiarui, Liu Yonggang. Six factors leading to drug deterioration[J]. Special Health, 2019(5).

Academic authenticity, the author is responsible for the content

Author: Pharmacist Jia Menglin

Reviewer: Sun Yanyan, Chief Pharmacist

Yu He, Chief Pharmacist