Does Ivermectin Expire? Shelf Life and Safety

Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic drug used to treat human parasitic infections. Like all drugs, it is packaged with an expiration date. Many people are not sure whether expired Ivermectin is still effective, or whether it should be thrown away.

In short, Ivermectin 12 mg does expire. Using 12mg expired, Ivermectin may not be dangerous, but does pose a risk. Knowing the extent to which expiration dates are important, and the possible risks of poor storage, can help you understand the risks you are taking.

The expiration date indicates the date by which the manufacturer guarantees the drug’s safety and efficacy.

Quick Summary

• Expired Ivermectin may lose potency.
• Temperature, humidity and exposure to light can increase the degradation of the drug.
• Post expiration, liquid drugs may be prone to additional contamination.
• Expired Ivermectin should be thrown away, and not used.

What Does an Expiration Date Mean?

The FDA has required Expiration Dates since 1979.

Along with an extensive stability testing, that the FDA requires to confirm the safety of drugs, manufactures must guarantee that at expiration, at least 90% of the drug’s potency remains.

The expiration date, therefore, guarantees that the drug is both safe and effective, if stored correctly, at least through that date.

But after that day, the manufacturer cannot confirm the strength, quality, or stability of the medication.

Note: Expiration dates act as quality guarantees. An expiration date is not a prediction of when the drug becomes unsafe the next day.

Why Do Medications Expire?

With the passage of time, natural chemical changes occur to all medications.

The degradation of drugs can be the result of many processes, among which hydrolysis and oxidation are the most common.

Hydrolysis

Hydrolysis is when the moisture in the air interacts with the drug and can break down the active ingredient, making it ineffective.

Oxidation

Oxidation is the interaction of the drug with oxygen. This can be made worse with exposure to air and light and can cause significant changes to the formulation.

Although these processes occur very slowly, they happen in a continuous manner which is why medications inevitably lose their potency.

Factors Affecting Ivermectin’s Stability

Ivermectin’s shelf life is highly dependent on the specific conditions it is stored.

Storage Conditions

Ivermectin is highly sensitive to heat and exposure to sunlight, which can reduce its shelf life.

Ivermectin should generally be stored:

• At room temperature
• In a cool, dry place
• Away from sunlight
• Away from moisture

Due to the constant changing of temperature and humidity, bathrooms are often poor storage locations.

Type of Formulation

Different types of Ivermectin may have a different stability profile.

Tablets are a more stable and less potent degrading than Liquid Ivermectin.

Once Liquid Ivermectin is opened, it is much more vulnerable to degradation and contamination.

Packaging

The original container is designed to help protect Ivermectin from environmental exposure. If Ivermectin is transferred to another container, or left exposed to air for a period of time, its stability and quality will deteriorate.

Tip: To best protect ivermectin from light and moisture, best practice is to keep it in the original container.

The FDA’s Position on Expired Medications

The FDA has a strict no-use policy for expired drugs.

Medications may remain functional for some time after their use by date, but there is no straightforward way for the average person to measure the remaining active amounts of said medications.

Especially for infection medications, the decreased functionality may mean that the infection is no longer treated.

To best protect the public, health organizations recommend eliminating expired medications, regardless of potential functionality.

Risks of Using Expired Ivermectin

Even with the potential drawbacks listed, you might feel that expired ivermectin is safe to use. Here are some potential drawbacks.

Decreased Functionality

The primary risk is the loss of functionality.

As ivermectin ages, the remaining amounts of active ingredients may be insufficient to treat the infection, if any, at all. In such a case, symptoms may worsen.

Uncertain Dosage

An expired tablet may contain some remaining active ingredient, but even if it does, it is impossible to know how much.

Chemical Degradation

The product may even begin to deteriorate. Breakdown products of ivermectin are not known to be super dangerous, but may even be worse than the product itself.

Contamination Risk

Also, if there are more risk factors for side effects, they may worsen.

Risk of Contamination

If it is a liquid formulation, there is an added concern.

As time passes, preservatives lose their strength. This allows the product to be more susceptible to microbial contamination. Contaminated products pose more of a health concern, especially if the products are injected or applied to areas that are more sensitive.

Unexpired vs. Expired Ivermectin

Unexpired Ivermectin

• Ivermectin at its full potency
• Storage maintains safety
• Effectively treats as intended
• Favored by health professionals

Expired Ivermectin

• Possible loss of potency
• No safety guarantee
• More likely to fail treatment
• Not favored by health professionals

How to Dispose of Expired Ivermectin

Safe disposal prevents not only the potential for exposure and abuse, but also protects the ecosystem from contamination

The Best Option: Drug Take-Back Programs

• Available at many pharmacies, hospitals, and local businesses
• Safest disposal option

If No Take-Back Program Is Available

• Take Ivermectin from its original container
• Mix with undesirable products (coffee grounds, dirt, kitty litter etc.)
• Place the mixture in a disposable container and remove the label
• Place in household garbage
• This helps prevent others from easily accessing Ivermectin

How to Extend the Shelf Life of Ivermectin

To maximize the lifespan of Ivermectin you should:

• Store at room temperature
• Keep away from moisture and humidity
• Store away from sunlight
• Keep in the original container and
• Avoid bathrooms and vehicles
• Regularly check expiration date

Proper storage cannot help medications avoid expiration. However, it can help them avoid becoming ineffective before the end of their shelf life.

Conclusion

Does ivermectin expire? Yes. All medications, including ivermectin, have an expiration date. This is based on the stability science of the medication. Some medications may be partially effective after the expiration date. However, ineffective and/or unsafe medications cannot be used.

The primary concern for expired ivermectin is that its effectiveness is reduced. This could result in unsuccessful treatment for an infection. There are also risks for the medication degrading, unsafe dosing, and if it is a liquid, possible contamination.

The safest thing to do for your health is stay within the expiration date for medications. You should also dispose of expired medications. If you find expired ivermectin in your medicine cabinet, it best to dispose of it. The simplified rule of thumb is: if you are unsure, just throw it out.