Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine medication commonly prescribed to manage symptoms of allergies, such as itching and allergic skin reactions. It also serves as a treatment for anxiety and can be used to induce drowsiness before medical procedures. This article aims to clarify what happens when hydroxyzine, or any medication, passes its expiration date, addressing common concerns regarding its continued use.
Why Medications Have Expiration Dates
Medication expiration dates are established by manufacturers following rigorous stability testing. These tests assess how long a drug maintains its identity, strength, quality, and purity when stored under recommended conditions. The date reflects the period during which the product is guaranteed to be fully potent and safe.
Over time, the active ingredients in medications can degrade, leading to a reduction in their effectiveness. Factors like exposure to light, heat, and humidity can accelerate this degradation process. Other elements such as pH, oxidation, and enzymatic degradation also influence a drug’s stability. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates these expiration dates based on stability data provided by manufacturers. This ensures that consumers receive medication that is both potent and safe for use, setting clear benchmarks for drug quality and shelf life.
Potential Effects of Taking Expired Hydroxyzine
The primary concern with expired hydroxyzine is reduced effectiveness. As the active ingredient, hydroxyzine, degrades over time, its ability to block histamine and alleviate symptoms like itching or anxiety diminishes. An expired dose may not provide the intended relief, making treatment less effective.
While serious toxicity from degraded hydroxyzine is rare, chemical changes in a medication can lead to unpredictable effects. Research indicates that hydroxyzine can degrade into compounds such as hydroxyzine N-Oxide and O-Acetyl hydroxyzine. Though not typically associated with severe toxicity, their presence signifies a chemical alteration that could affect the drug’s action.
The overall risk of harm from many expired medications is low, but not absent. The FDA strongly discourages the use of expired medications due to these potential risks and the lack of guaranteed efficacy. Taking expired hydroxyzine, or any medication, is not recommended as its effects become unpredictable.
What to Do With Expired Medications
If your hydroxyzine or any medication has expired, avoid taking it. Consult a healthcare professional or pharmacist, especially if you’ve accidentally ingested expired medication or have questions. They can provide guidance and assess risks.
Proper disposal of expired medications is important to prevent accidental ingestion by others, including children and pets, and to protect the environment. The FDA recommends several safe disposal methods. These include drug take-back programs, often available at pharmacies, police stations, or community events, and mail-back programs offered by some pharmacies.
If a take-back or mail-back program is not readily available, most medications, including hydroxyzine, can be disposed of in household trash. To do this safely, mix the medication with an undesirable substance, such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds, and place the mixture in a sealed bag. This makes the medication less appealing to children and pets and deters misuse. Avoid flushing medications down the toilet or drain unless the FDA’s flush list instructs otherwise, as this can contaminate the water supply. Always obtain a new, unexpired prescription from your healthcare provider to ensure effective and safe treatment.