Does liquid Albuterol expire? 

Does liquid Albuterol expire? 

Yes, liquid Albuterol does have an expiry date printed on the packaging. Albuterol does not necessarily become toxic to inhale once it expires, but the drug loses its potency and it does not deliver the desired therapeutic response. 

This is why the FDA has recommended that it is best to stay away from expired medications as they have no guarantee regarding their safety and efficacy (1). 

What are the possible dangers associated with the use of expired liquid Albuterol? 

Expired liquid Albuterol does not pose a health risk, but it will most likely lead to therapeutic failure. If the drug has lost its effectiveness, it will not make breathing easier for you as it will not bind to its respective receptors to relax your airways. It means that the med will fail to achieve its sole purpose. 

This medication can also loosen mucus in the lungs to help improve breathing. It is important for your Albuterol to be fully potent. This medication can be life-saving in certain cases and one should never rely on expired medication to help adequately.

What to do if you have used expired liquid Albuterol? 

Expired liquid Albuterol will not harm your health so you don’t have to worry if you have used some. However, you should talk to your healthcare provider and get a new prescription as the expired one will not help you with your condition. 

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

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; 2021 [cited 2022 Oct 22]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/dont-be-tempted-use-expired-medicines.