Patient: My baby is 5 years old, 5 months ago fever, bought a bottle of "Motrin" in the pharmacy to reduce fever, used half of it, the expiration date marked on the bottle has not passed, and now the baby has a fever again, can the rest continue to be taken? Pharmacist: On the question of expiration date, I would like to explain here that the expiration date marked on the medicine bottle, especially for liquid and syrup preparations, refers to the expiration date when the packaging is not opened and stored under the specified conditions. However, after the drug is unpacked, the expiration date will be changed. For your "Motrin" (ibuprofen suspension), in the case of no contamination, it can be stored at room temperature for 2 months, in view of your actual situation, it is recommended that the original drug should not continue to be used, there is a possibility of contamination, or re-open a new drug for the baby to use, so that it is safer.
Expiration date of the drug.
The expiration date of a drug refers to the period during which the drug can maintain its quality under the specified storage conditions.
It is formulated according to the stability of the drug, through stability experimental research and sample observation.
How to identify the expiration date of a drug?
The expiration date of the unopened package and stored in accordance with the specified conditions is the expiration date shown on the box. There are 3 most commonly used representations:
1. Directly indicate the expiration date.
For example, the expiration date of a drug is until 202102.13, indicating that the drug can be used until February 13, 2021, and must not be used on February 14, 2021.
2. Directly indicate that the validity period is until the month.
For example, the expiration date of a drug is until 202009, indicating that the drug can be used until September 30, 2020, and must not be used on October 1, 2020.
3. Indicate the number of years or months of validity.
The expiration date of the drug indicated in this way can be estimated according to the batch number or the date of manufacture
For example, the batch number of a drug is 1809172211, and the production date is 201809.17, the expiration date is 24 months, which means that the drug can be used until September 16, 2020, and must not be used on September 17, 2020.
The expiration date of the drug changes after it is opened.
The shelf life of drugs in different packages and dosage forms is different after opening.
1. Drugs in different packages.
For individually packaged drugs, such as plate-mounted tablets, plate-mounted capsules, etc., these drugs are generally encapsulated in individual packaging, and will not come into contact with the outside air, and can be used with confidence until the expiration date under the specified storage conditions.
For non-individually packaged drugs, such as bottled tablets, it is generally recommended to use them up within half a year after opening, and if the drug changes in appearance, color, and properties, it can no longer be used.
2. Drugs in different dosage forms.
1. Syrup:
Because it contains sugar, it is easy to breed bacteria and deteriorate, it is generally not suitable for a long time after opening, and it can be stored at room temperature for 1-3 months without being contaminated, generally not more than 3 months in winter, and no more than 1 month in summer.
2. Oral solution, suspension:
If it is not contaminated, it can be stored at room temperature for 2 months.
3. Ophthalmic preparations, nasal preparations, such as eye drops, nasal drops
It can be stored for 4 weeks after opening.
4. Ointment (non-volatile):
It can be stored at room temperature for 2 months. Similarly, once the drug has changed its appearance, smell, color, and properties, it can no longer be used.
After opening, the effectiveness of the drug is guaranteed.
1. First of all, for any drug, once there is a change in appearance, smell, color, character, etc., it must not be used again! It is recommended to clean up the medicine every 3-6 months and dispose of the spoiled medicine in time.
2. Secondly, the drugs must be stored in accordance with the requirements on the drug instructions, such as the drugs that need to be stored in the dark must be placed in a dark place, the drugs that need to be moisture-proof must be kept dry in the environment, and the drugs that need to be refrigerated must be put into the refrigerator (pay attention to the refrigeration temperature).
3. Again, attention should be paid to prevent contamination during the use of medicines, such as liquid preparations must be poured out with a clean measuring cup, not directly drunk against the bottle mouth, and the measuring cup should be cleaned and dried for later use. If you accidentally pour too much liquid medicine, you should not pour it back into the original bottle, and the open cap should be placed on the countertop.
4. Finally, after the drug is unpacked, indicate the opening time on the package, so that the next time you take it, you can clearly know whether the drug is still within the expiration date and whether you can continue to take it.
Tips: What kind of garbage is expired medicine?
Hazardous waste? Can **garbage?
Special reminder: expired drugs are hazardous waste, and should be put into the hazardous garbage bin together with the packaging!
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