Does Compound W expire? 

Does Compound W expire? 

Yes, Compound W does expire. You can find the expiration date on the packaging of this medication. This fast-acting wart-removing gel is usually recommended to be used within a year of opening the tube. 

However, it can outlive its expiry date if it is used and stored properly, but it is bound to expire one day or another. Compound W gel does not intoxicate you once it expires, but it can lose efficacy with time and become ineffective. 

What are the possible dangers associated with the use of expired Compound W?

Expired Compound W does not cause any harm to your health. However, it will fail to achieve its therapeutic purpose if the expired gel has lost its potency. Compound W is considered one of the first-line therapies for the treatment of cutaneous warts(1).

It usually takes 12 weeks for this gel to remove a wart, but it will not do so properly within this time limit if you are using the expired gel. This is why it’s best to opt for an unexpired Compound W gel to achieve a good therapeutic outcome. 

What to do if you have used expired Compound W gel? 

If you have used Compound W that has recently expired, don’t worry. In fact, it might still work and help get rid of your wart. However, if the gel has lost its potency, it will not work no matter how much you apply. 

Expired Compound W is generally non-toxic, but if you feel irritation on your skin after applying it, reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as you can. 

Expired meds don’t have any guarantee and there is no easy way to tell if your expired formulation is still safe enough for you to take. It is always a risk, which you shouldn’t really take if you are concerned about your symptoms. 

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References

1.-

Dall’oglio F, D’Amico V, Nasca MR, Micali G. Treatment of cutaneous warts: an evidence-based review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2012 Apr 1;13(2):73-96. doi: 10.2165/11594610-000000000-00000. PMID: 22292461. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22292461/