Can you take expired Vitamins?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Can you take expired Vitamins?
It is generally not recommended to take expired Vitamins or any other pharmaceutical supplement for that matter (1). Vitamins are essential components which our bodies don’t naturally produce (2).
There are a lot of vitamin-rich food sources that we need to incorporate into our diets to make sure our bodies get enough vitamins. However, some people may become deficient and need supplements to make up for this deficiency.
Why is it not recommended to take expired Vitamins?
The thing with expired vitamins is that they don’t have the manufacturer’s guarantee regarding their safety and efficacy. Vitamin supplements don’t necessarily go bad or become toxic once they are past the expiration date.
However, they may lose their potency and may not make up for the deficiency, which is why it is recommended to stick to unexpired medications and supplements to make the most out of them (1).
For example, if someone has a vitamin B12 deficiency, taking expired supplements won’t help make up for the deficiency.
Pregnant women usually take prenatal vitamins for the growth and development of the growing fetus and to meet the need for nutritional requirements a woman needs to carry a child. These vitamins should be taken properly and excessive use should be avoided.
However, if the prenatal vitamins are expired, they will not help you achieve this goal.
It’s best to take your vitamins on time and don’t leave them out for so long that they go past the expiration date. If they do, it’s best to replace them.
How to store Vitamins properly?
Properly storing vitamins is crucial to maintaining their potency and effectiveness. To ensure that your vitamins remain safe and beneficial, store them in a cool, dry, and dark place. Excessive heat, humidity, and exposure to light can degrade vitamins over time, reducing their efficacy (3).
Therefore, it’s best to avoid storing them in the bathroom or near the stove or other heat sources.
Keep your vitamins away from direct sunlight, as UV rays can break down the active ingredients. A cupboard or a pantry shelf that is shielded from light is an ideal storage spot. Additionally, make sure the storage area is dry to prevent moisture from causing any damage to the vitamins (3).
Always keep vitamins in their original containers with tightly sealed lids. The original packaging is designed to protect the vitamins from air and moisture, preserving their quality. Avoid transferring them to other containers, as this may lead to confusion or accidental ingestion of the wrong vitamin.
How to dispose of expired Vitamins properly?
Properly disposing of expired vitamins is essential to ensure environmental safety and public health. When vitamins reach their expiration date, their potency and effectiveness may diminish, making them less beneficial for our health needs.
It is not recommended to throw expired vitamins in the regular trash or flush them down the toilet, as they can end up contaminating the environment and water sources (4).
Instead, look for local medication take-back programs or recycling centres that accept expired medications, including vitamins (5).
By properly storing and handling your vitamins and supplements, you can maximize their effectiveness and ensure they continue to provide the health benefits you seek.
Remember to check expiration dates, keep them in a cool, dry, and dark place, and store them out of reach of children and pets. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new vitamin regimen to ensure it aligns with your individual health goals.
With these simple practices, you can make the most of your vitamins and support your overall well-being.
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References
1.-
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Don’t Be Tempted to Use Expired Medicines [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/dont-be-tempted-use-expired-medicines
2.-
Thomas DR. Vitamins in aging, health, and longevity. Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(1):81-91. doi: 10.2147/ciia.2006.1.1.81. PMID: 18047260; PMCID: PMC2682456. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2682456/
3.-
Funk OG, Yung R, Arrighi S, Lee S. Medication Storage Appropriateness in US Households. Inov Pharm. 2021;12(2):1–15. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8326694/pdf/21550417-12-02-3822.pdf
4.-
Nepal S, Giri A, Bhandari R, Chand S, Nepal S, Aryal S, Khanal P, Moktan JB, Shastry CS. Poor and Unsatisfactory Disposal of Expired and Unused Pharmaceuticals: A Global Issue. Curr Drug Saf. 2020;15(3):167-172. doi: 10.2174/1574886315666200626164001. PMID: 32589562. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32589562/
5.-
Stoddard KI, Hodge V, Maxey G, Tiwari C, Cready C, Huggett DB. Investigating Research Gaps of Pharmaceutical take back Events: An Analysis of take back Program Participants’ Socioeconomic, Demographic, and Geographic Characteristics and the Public Health Benefits of take back Programs. Environ Manage. 2017 Jun;59(6):871-884. doi: 10.1007/s00267-017-0834-3. Epub 2017 Mar 3. PMID: 28258470. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28258470/
