What happens if medicine is taken after it's expiry date?

Lata rushed into my consulting room with tears rolling down her cheeks. She was angry and visibly upset. Lata’s both kids were delivered by me. She was an experienced mother. She was very diligent about the baby’s health and never missed on the vaccination schedule. She used to take her kids to the same pediatrician for years together. On one fine day, her pediatrician informed her that the child was given a vaccine which had expired one month back and Lata was shattered.

 Like many of my patients who consider me to be their “friend- philosopher- guide” besides being theirgynecologist, Lata came to me for help and guidance.Lata was literally fuming. She said. “I trusted that doctor so much and how could she be so negligentto me and my child?” It was a clear case of medical error. The pediatrician was extremely apologetic and felt sorry about the whole incidence. We know that medication errors are the commonest errors in healthcare. Actually. this mistake was caused because of a goof up in the pattern of writing expiry date. We know that the Americans write the date in “mm/dd” format and In India we use “dd/mm” format. Precisely this was the cause of this blunder. Lata was extremely worried and tensed about the ill effects of the expired medication. “Doctor, I even check a loaf of bread for the “consume best before” date. I don’t allow anyone to eat even a slice after that date. We make fresh food every day. We don’t consume “Basi” (stale) food at home. And look here. My little one has been injected with a vaccine which has expired a month back!!!” Lata blew off. She was not wrong at all. Most people believe that medication post expiry, like food, may rot or turn into some poisonous substance and be very harmful if consumed. So is this true? What is the meaning of expiry date?

The expired medications may not have the same potency. Hence one may need to revalidate the potency or simply take an additional dose.In nutshell, if expired medications ( tablets/ injections) get used inadvertently, no guarantee can be given about its effectiveness but it will not cause harm or untoward effect too.

"So what did Lata do? Lata met two pediatricians and discussed the matter. Both suggested that thechild should be given another dose of vaccine. Sadly, the child had to take additional injection but Lata was sure that there is no harm caused to the child. Herpediatrician gave an additional dose of vaccine to the baby. Lata continues to follow up with the same doctor. She and her doctor both have become more vigilant about the medications as they both know that human errors are possible in any one’s hand".