Cephalexin is an antibiotic that belongs to the cephalosporin family. It is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections, skin infections, and bone infections. Like with most medications, cephalexin has an expiration date and there are concerns whether taking expired cephalexin can be harmful.
What happens when cephalexin expires?
The expiration date on medications is the final day that the manufacturer guarantees the full potency and safety of the drug. Once cephalexin expires, it may start to lose some of its potency. The drug molecules can start to break down over time. This means expired cephalexin may not treat the infection it’s prescribed for as effectively as a non-expired version.
However, expired cephalexin does not turn into a toxic or poisonous substance. It simply becomes less effective as the drug degrades. The loss of potency happens slowly. So even an expired version may still retain much of its original strength.
Can you take expired cephalexin?
Taking expired cephalexin is generally not recommended. Since expired cephalexin may have reduced potency, it may not fully treat the bacterial infection. This could lead to a recurrence of the infection or worsening of symptoms.
However, expired cephalexin is not considered unsafe or dangerous in most cases. The risk depends on how long the medication has been expired:
– Cephalexin expired within the past 1 year – May still retain most of its potency. Taking this recently expired cephalexin is generally safe.
– Cephalexin expired 1-2 years ago – Much more degraded. May only retain 50-90% potency. Effectiveness is reduced. Should be avoided if possible.
– Cephalexin expired over 2 years ago – Likely has lost almost all potency. Should not be taken for antibiotic treatment.
Keep in mind that improper storage like excessive heat and humidity can accelerate degradation of cephalexin. Even “recently expired” cephalexin stored in poor conditions may lose potency faster.
Risks of taking expired cephalexin
While not inherently unsafe, some potential risks are associated with taking expired cephalexin:
– Reduced effectiveness against infection – Expired cephalexin may not fully treat the bacterial infection it was prescribed for, leading to recurrent or persistent infection.
– Antibiotic resistance – Weaker antibiotic treatment could give rise to cephalexin-resistant bacteria.
– Unanticipated side effects – Degraded cephalexin could potentially cause side effects not seen with potent cephalexin. Unlikely but possible.
– Interactions with other medications – The chemical structure of degraded cephalexin may interact with other drugs in unforeseen ways.
So while not toxic per se, taking cephalexin that is past expiration does carry some degree of risk. For this reason, it’s better to avoid using cephalexin that has expired more than 1 year ago whenever possible. The risks tend to outweigh the benefits at that point.
Are there any exceptions?
In certain limited circumstances, it may be permissible to take expired cephalexin:
– Life-threatening infection and no alternatives – If facing a severe cephalexin-susceptible infection with no other antibiotic options available, using expired cephalexin is likely better than nothing. But its effectiveness may be diminished.
– Prophylaxis for infection – As preventative medicine before/after procedures in high-risk patients when newer cephalexin is unavailable. Again, protective effects may not be as strong.
– Veterinary use – Animals typically metabolize medications differently. Expired veterinary cephalexin may potentially still be effective when used under vet supervision.
But outside these limited cases, taking cephalexin that has been expired for over 1 year comes with substantial risk and is not recommended. A careful evaluation of options should be made.
Does expired cephalexin become toxic?
There is no evidence that expired cephalexin becomes toxic or poisonous with time. The expired medication simply slowly loses potency as the active drug molecules degrade into weaker chemical structures.
Cephalexin does not produce toxic metabolites or breakdown into toxic chemicals even years beyond its expiration date. Studies have shown no indication of toxicity from cephalexin stored up to 6 years past expiration.
However, degradation can produce new chemical entities in very small amounts. There is a hypothetical risk that these new compounds could cause unexpected side effects. But clinically significant toxicity from expired cephalexin has not been documented.
The main risk is diminished antibiotic effectiveness against the target infection, not toxic effects. So while expired cephalexin should certainly be avoided, it does not appear to become a poison.
How can you tell if cephalexin is expired?
Always check the expiration date printed on the medication package before taking cephalexin. Cephalexin for oral use typically expires 18-24 months from the manufacturing date. The expiration date will be printed on the prescription bottle label or original packaging.
If repackaged in another container, check the original packaging if still available. Discard any cephalexin that has passed its expiration date.
Look for these signs that your cephalexin may be expired:
– Expiration date has passed
– Color changes – Pale yellow instead of yellowish white
– Texture changes – Hard and brittle tablets
– Crumbling of tablets
– Faint or musty odor
If in doubt, do not take cephalexin that shows any of these signs of degradation without first checking with a pharmacist. Expired cephalexin that has clearly degraded should not be used.
Does cephalexin expire?
Yes, cephalexin does expire. FDA testing has shown that cephalexin slowly loses potency after its expiration date. Like all medications, cephalexin has a limited shelf life and effectiveness steadily decreases over time after expiry.
The expiration date listed on the label indicates the last day that the full therapeutic potency and safety is guaranteed. After that, degradation will slowly commence.
On average, cephalexin remains stable for about 2 years when stored properly in the original packaging. After 2 years, potency drops more rapidly. Cephalexin stored in very hot, humid, or bright conditions can expire faster.
While cephalexin tablets may still retain some strength for a period after expiration, they eventually will degrade to a point of having little to no antibiotic effectiveness or reliable safety.
Bottom line – if your cephalexin tablets or capsules have passed the expiration date, it’s time to properly dispose of them and get new, non-expired cephalexin.
Does cephalexin have an expiration date or shelf life?
Yes, all commercially manufactured cephalexin has an expiration date and defined shelf life. The FDA requires safety testing to determine appropriate shelf life and expiration dating for medications like cephalexin.
Typically, cephalexin tablets and capsules have an expiration date of 18-24 months from the manufacturing date. The expiry is usually printed on the prescription bottle label or original packaging.
The expiration date marks the end of the shelf life – the length of time the manufacturer has determined cephalexin will remain stable and retain full potency. After the printed expiration date, degradation can occur.
Cephalexin shelf life depends partly on storage. Heat, humidity, and light exposure can shorten its shelf life. Properly stored in cool, dry conditions, cephalexin usually remains potent for about 2 years. After that potency slowly declines until lacking antibiotic effectiveness after 4-6 years.
Checking the expiration date before taking cephalexin allows you to ensure the medication has not exceeded its approved shelf life and degraded in storage. Expired cephalexin should not be used.
How long does cephalexin last after opening?
After opening a bottle of cephalexin, the capsules or tablets remain effective until the expiration date as long as stored properly. Cephalexin does not degrade significantly faster after opening if you re-cap it tightly and keep it away from excessive heat, moisture, and sunlight.
However, there are some best practices for storage after opening:
– Re-cap bottle tightly immediately after each use
– Do not transfer to another container or repackage
– Avoid storage in humid, warm places like bathrooms
– Do not store in direct sunlight or near heat sources
– Keep bottle away from children to avoid accidental ingestion
– Discard if odor, color, texture change – evidence of degradation
With proper storage after opening, cephalexin capsules and tablets typically retain full potency right up until the original expiration date. But always inspect for signs of degradation before use. Replace expired cephalexin.
How should you store cephalexin?
Cephalexin should be stored according to the following guidelines in order to preserve potency and prevent early expiry:
– Store at room temperature – 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) is optimal. Avoid extremes of heat or cold.
– Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture – Store in dry, dark place. Light and humidity degrade cephalexin faster.
– Do not refrigerate or freeze – Cold temperatures can cause cephalexin tablets to become too hard and degrade.
– Keep cephalexin in original prescription bottle or packaging until ready to use. Do not repackage in another container.
– Avoid storing in humid spots like bathrooms or near sinks.
– Ensure bottle cap remains tightly closed when not in use.
– Keep up and away from children and pets.
– Do not use if expiration date has passed or degradation signs present.
Proper storage preserves cephalexin potency and reduces risk of using expired or degraded cephalexin. Check expiration date and inspect capsules or tablets before taking.
Disposal of expired cephalexin
Expired cephalexin should not be used and must be disposed of properly:
– Do not simply throw expired cephalexin in the household trash. This risks environmental contamination from the drugs.
– Do not flush down the toilet. Cephalexin residues can persist in water supplies.
– Use approved medication take-back disposal programs if available in your area. These ensure safe destruction of medications.
– The FDA recommends mixing cephalexin with an unpalatable substance like dirt, cat litter, or coffee grounds in a sealed bag or container, then throwing away. This reduces risk of misuse.
– Before disposing, cross out any personal information on the prescription bottle label to protect privacy.
Proper disposal of expired medications protects the environment and prevents misuse. Cephalexin should not simply be thrown in trash. Follow FDA guidelines for safe disposal.
Conclusion
In most cases, taking expired cephalexin is not recommended and risks diminished effectiveness or unexpected side effects. While not overtly toxic, degraded cephalexin may lack reliable antibiotic properties against bacterial infections.
Cephalexin does expire as it degrades over time after the manufacturer’s printed expiration date. Older cephalexin can lose potency, change chemically, and become less effective as an antibiotic.
To get the full benefits of cephalexin and avoid issues with degradation, always:
– Check expiration date before use
– Store properly in cool, dry environment
– Discard if expired or shows signs of degradation
– Never take cephalexin that has been expired for more than 1 year
– Follow disposal guidelines to protect the environment
With prudent precautions, you can ensure your cephalexin provides safe and optimal treatment. Expired cephalexin is best avoided unless no other options exist. Consult your pharmacist or doctor with any questions.
