Expiry Dates for Medication - V 1 - Care Homes-Good Practice Guidance

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by McQueen

Guidance for care homes on recommended expiry dates for different medication forms, with instructions to always verify product-specific expiry. It explains actions after opening containers, including labeling the date of opening, following manufacturer guidance for unopened stock, and storing medicines per manufacturer instructions. The document also covers room-temperature checks and logging to prevent storage above 25°C for extended periods, and clarifies meaning of “use by,” “use before,” and “expiry date.”

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Expiry Dates for Medication

Recommended expiry dates by medication type

Meaning of manufacturer expiry date terms

Document version and review cycle

CARE HOMES-GOOD PRACTICE GUIDANCE EXPIRY DATES FOR MEDICATION 􀁸 Below are recommended expiry dates for medication. Always check the expiry date for each product as some specific products will vary from these dates. 􀁸 When you open a container, mark the date of opening on the label or container. 􀁸 If containers are unopened, follow manufacturer’s expiry. 􀁸 Always store medication according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 􀁸 Room temperatures where medicines are stored should be checked and logged to ensure medicineso are not stored above room temperature (25 C) for prolonged periods of time. | Medication | | Recommended Expiry Date | | --- | --- | --- | | Tablets/ capsules | Original pack of tablets | Manufacturers expiry date | | | Loose tablets in a pharmacy bottle | Seek Community Pharmacy advice if not stated on label | | | Monitored Dosage Systems / Blister packs | 8 weeks from dispensing date | | Liquids
(internal) | Original bottles of liquid | 6 months once opened unless manufacturer advises otherwise. | | | Liquids decanted into pharmacy bottle | Seek Community Pharmacy advice if not stated on label | | | Antibiotics | Usually 7 or 14 days once reconstituted. Check pharmacy label. | | Topical preparations
(creams /ointments) | Tubs | 1 month once opened | | | Pump dispensers | Manufacturer’s expiry date | | | Tubes | 3 months once opened unless manufacturer advises otherwise. | | | Liquids / lotions | 6 months once opened unless manufacturer advises otherwise. | | Drops | Eye / ear/ nose drops or ointments | 1 month once opened unless manufacturer advises otherwise. | | Insulin | Insulin | Store in the fridge when unopened.
Once in use, keep at room temperature (25oC ) for 1 month. | | Inhalers | Inhalers | Manufacturer’s expiry date. | | Manufacturer’s expiry dates | What does it mean? | | --- | --- | | ‘Use by’ | Use by the end of the month
e.g. Use by January 2019 = use by 31st Jan 2019 | | ‘Use before’ | Use before the beginning of the month
e.g. Use before January 2019 = use before 1st Jan 2019 | | ‘Expiry date’ | Expires at the end of the month
e.g. Expiry date January 2019 = expires 31st January 2019. | 1 Expiry dates for medication V.1 Date written: April 2019 Review date: April 2021

FAQs

Why must care homes check each product’s expiry date?

Some specific products can vary from the recommended dates, so the expiry date on each product must be checked before use.

What should staff do when they open a medication container?

Mark the date of opening on the label or container, then follow the relevant time limit for that medication type once opened.

What is the difference between “use by,” “use before,” and “expiry date”?

“Use by” means use by the end of the month, “use before” means use before the beginning of the month, and “expiry date” means it expires at the end of the month.

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by McQueen