Eye drops are used for many different medical conditions of the eyes. Some contain antibiotics to treat an infection, while others help regulate eye pressure or provide relief from dry eye. You can find certain products over-the-counter (OTC). Others require a prescription.

If you use eye drops, you may wonder if they expire. All eye drops have an expiration date. And they shouldn’t be used too long after the bottle has been opened.

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Sometimes, you may need to use eye drops that have been in storage for a while. If you haven’t cleaned out your medicine cabinet recently, you may wonder if they’re still OK to use. Well, while you’re mulling it over, keep in mind that eye drops are more likely to break down and become contaminated than solid dosage forms (e.g., pills).

In this article, we’ll review what you should know about expired eye drops. We’ll also discuss how to safely determine whether you should use them based on the expiration date.

Can you use expired eye drops?

As with any medication that’s expired, you shouldn’t use eye drops after the expiration date on the bottle. This is true whether the bottle is opened or unopened. Eye drops should remain effective and safe until the labeled expiration date, as long as they’re stored correctly.

It’s possible to get some of the medication’s effects after an expiration date has passed. But, eye drops are one of the riskier types of medication to use in this scenario. That’s because they can break down or become contaminated, especially once the bottle is open.

If you’re unsure whether your eye drops are still effective and safe, check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before using them. They can help you determine if they’re safe to use.

What happens to eye drops after you open them?

Once you open a bottle of eye drops, the active ingredient(s) can start to break down. And germs can be introduced into the bottle, too. This is because opening the bottle breaks the sterile seal. The sterile seal helps protect the drops from being contaminated. For this reason, it’s best to wait until you need to use the eye drops before opening a new bottle.

Most eye drops contain preservatives, which help prevent growth of bacteria and lower the risk of infection. These are usually multi-use eye drop bottles. Eye drops can also come as single-use vials, which don’t have preservatives. These single-use vials shouldn’t be used more than 24 hours after opening.

How long can you use eye drops after opening them?

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Many manufacturers recommend that you throw away eye drops 28 days after opening the bottle. This is because the preservatives inside can start to break down and allow bacteria to grow.

Each medicated eye drop may have different instructions for how long they can be used after opening. Generally, you should expect that the eye drops will be stable long enough to finish your treatment.

For example, if you’re using an antibiotic eye drop like ofloxacin (Ocuflox), the duration of treatment is usually 14 days or less. So, the bottle should be stable for at least 14 days.

The eye drop latanoprost (Xalatan) is used to treat glaucoma or ocular hypertension. You may end up using the whole bottle of latanoprost drops each time you get a refill. The manufacturer states that they’re stable for up to 6 weeks.

Lifitegrast (Xiidra) is an example of a single-use container eye drop. Each container has enough medication for a single dose in each eye and should be thrown away immediately after use.

If you’re unsure how long you’ve had an open bottle of eye drops, it’s best to avoid using them. You could also contact your pharmacy if it’s a prescription eye drop. They can tell you when you picked up your prescription. You can also check with your healthcare provider for further guidance.

What are the risks of using expired eye drops?

Using expired eye drops can be risky. For example, the medication may not work as it should. This can be a problem if you’re treating something serious, like an eye infection.

Also, you could introduce germs into your eye from contaminated drops. This is also possible if the bottle tip has been contaminated from touching other surfaces. Contamination is more likely for bottles that have been opened for a long time. Using contaminated drops can result in eye infections, including serious ones.

For these reasons, it’s important to only use eye drops that are within their expiration date. If you’re unsure about using expired drops, check with a pharmacist or healthcare provider before using them. They can help you determine whether it’s safe to use them.

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This recommendation can seem frustrating, especially since eye drop medications can be costly. But, avoiding problems from using expired eye drops is the safer choice.

What should you do if you’ve used expired eye drops by mistake?

If you accidentally use expired eye drops, you should let your healthcare provider know. It’s important to monitor your symptoms closely. If you experience any bothersome effects, such as irritation or pain, you may need to seek medical care.

Usually, using expired eye drops by mistake won’t cause any serious side effects. However, it’s always best to be cautious. Involve your healthcare provider in helping monitor your condition if this happens.

How can I keep my eye drops from becoming contaminated?

You can help keep eye drops from becoming contaminated once the bottle is open by correctly administering the eye drops.

Key points to avoid contamination include:

• Washing your hands before and after using the eye drops

• Avoid touching the dropper tip of the bottle to your eye, hands, or anything else

• Replace the bottle’s cap right after use

Store your eye drops in a dry location at the recommended temperature. Some eye drops should be stored at room temperature. Others should be stored in the refrigerator.

The package insert or label that comes with your eye drops should contain this information. There should be instructions for storage and administration. If you’re unsure how to use or store your eye drops, check with your pharmacist.

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