What happens if you take expired allergy medicine?

It may be fine to take an allergy medication that’s a month past its expiration date. But there is some risk in taking a heart rhythm medication that, if ineffective, could lead to an unstable and dangerous heart problem.

What medications are toxic when expired?

Practically speaking, Hall said there is a handful of drugs known to degrade quite quickly, such as nitroglycerin tablets, insulin and tetracycline, an antibiotic that may become toxic to the kidneys after it expires.

Can you take out of date hayfever tablets?

After the expiry date medicines may not be safe or as effective. You should not take medicines after their expiry date. If you’ve had a medicine for a while, check the expiry date before using it. You should also make sure that you’ve stored the medicine properly, as described on the packaging or leaflet.

What happens if you accidentally take expired Benadryl?

This means that Benadryl solution that has expired six months previously should work, especially if it has been stored in a dry cool space away from light in its original container. There is a possibility that it may not be quite as effective, but it is unlikely to do you any harm.

How long do antihistamines take to work?

Usually, antihistamine tablets start to work within 30 minutes after being taken and tend to be most effective within 1-2 hours after being taken. Antihistamines are more effective when taken regularly as a prevention, before symptoms occur, rather than only when you have symptoms.

Does Claritin expire?

When do antihistamines expire? Antihistamines, one of the main types of allergy medicine, can be safe to use after the expiration date. For over-the-counter medicines like Claritin and Zyrtec, the listed expiration dates are typically around two and a half years after manufacturing.

Will taking expired Zyrtec hurt you?

Drs. Vogel and Supe agree it’s good not to take any over-the-counter drug that’s expired, though both say to use your best judgment if you have a stockpile of meds. A week or a month, or even up to a year, after the expiration date probably won’t hurt you, the medicine will just be less effective.

How do you flush diphenhydramine out of your system?

Age: Adults over the age of 65 and children who are 12 and younger tend to metabolize diphenhydramine more slowly, meaning the drug can last longer in their systems. Hydration: The more water you drink, the quicker diphenhydramine is flushed from the system.

Is it OK to take expired diphenhydramine?

If you have expired antihistamines hanging around in your medicine cabinet, they’re probably still effective. “Diphenhydramine, a common antihistamine, was studied to last almost 15 years in the tablet form,” Langon said, but added that “liquid OTC antihistamines should be discarded on their expiration date.”

When should you not take antihistamines?

Who shouldn’t take antihistamines?

• Glaucoma.
• Trouble urinating (from an enlarged prostate gland).
• Breathing problems, such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.
• Thyroid disease.
• Heart disease.
• High blood pressure.