Does Prednisone expire?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
| Reviewed by
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
The contents of this article are fact-based except otherwise stated within the article.
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/
Reviewer 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/
In this concise article, we will address the question of Presnisone’s expiration, along with additional aspects such as the potential risks associated with using expired Prednisone, recommended actions if one has consumed such medication past its expiry date, potential adverse effects of Prednisone usage, characteristics to identify spoiled Prednisone, and how this medication should be stored.
Similar to other medications, Prednisone has an expiration date, and it is not advisable to use it beyond that date.
The exact health risks linked to the consumption of expired Prednisone cannot be definitively determined (1,2,3).
If you unintentionally ingest expired Prednisone, remain observant for symptoms and promptly seek medical assistance if you experience any severe adverse effects (4).
To store Prednisone, ensure it is kept in its original container within a well-ventilated area.
Spoiled medication might display visual alterations and emit a strong odor. If you observe any noticeable changes in the characteristics of Prednisone, refrain from taking the medication (5,6).
Does Prednisone expire?
Yes, Prednisone does expire.
While some medications may retain their effectiveness beyond their expiration date (1), it is not recommended to use expired drugs.
The stability of medications depends on proper storage conditions. Inadequate storage can accelerate the degradation of drugs. Additionally, the pharmaceutical form of medications affects its stability, with tablets lasting much longer than a liquid preparation.
However, it is certain that all expired drugs are likely to lose their effectiveness over time, and their safety cannot be guaranteed. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly advises against the consumption of any expired medication (2).
What are the dangers associated with consuming expired Prednisone?
There is no research data available regarding the safety and efficacy of expired Prednisone and no one can say for sure what potential health risks are associated with their use, not even the manufacturers.
That’s the entire point of printing expiry dates on the packaging, as the manufacturers can’t guarantee the safety of their medications past the expiration dates.
Studies conducted with other drugs suggest that if it was stored properly and the expiration date has passed a few months ago or up to 2 years, you
will still be able to achieve your desired therapeutic response. However, if the drug has expired for quite a while or has lost its stability, it may have gone bad (1,2,3).
Thus, it is important to consider that Prednisone has many uses, and the expired formulation may not help you with your symptoms or worse, there may be an entirely unexpected effect (4).
It’s best to ensure that your medication is not expired before you start taking it.
What to do if you have accidentally taken expired Prednisone?
If you have accidentally consumed expired Prednisone, please remain vigilant for symptoms and seek medical attention if you experience any unusual issues.
As a general rule, it is not advisable to consume expired medications due to the potential for unknown side effects they may cause (2,5).
It is recommended to replace the expired Prednisone with a new one.
What adverse effects may Prednisone cause?
Prednisone can be associated with various adverse effects, which may vary depending on the duration of treatment and from person to person.
Short term use (4):
- Mood changes
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Vomiting
- Anorexia (which may result in weight loss)
- Increased appetite (which may result in weight gain)
- Stomach bloating or irritation
- Diarrhea or constipation
Long term use (4):
- General changes to the body: bloating and rounding of the face (moon face); headache; dizziness; weight gain; redistribution of body fat ; water retention leading to swollen legs and feet, high blood pressure or an irregular heart beat; cramps or weakness in the muscles of the arms and legs; slowed growth in children irregular menstrual periods.
- Changes to the skin: acne; red or flushed face extra hair growth; red or purple streaks; easy bruising; skin thinning increased sweating poor wound healing.
- Changes to the immune system: an increased seriousness or frequency of infections.
- Changes in behavior: excessive mood swings (such as changes in personality); anxiety or nervousness restlessness; trouble sleeping.
- Changes in eyes: decreased or blurred vision; eyes sticking out too far; cataracts.
Side effects that may be serious (4):
- Severe stomach or intestinal pain;
- Epileptic fits;
- Sudden changes in your vision;
- Symptoms such as severe dizziness, fainting, weakness, chest pain or irregular heart beat
- Psychiatric disturbances
Talk to your doctor if you experience any unusual or persistent problems while taking this medication.
How to identify spoiled Prednisone?
Some characteristics can indicate that a medication is spoiled, such as (5,6):
- packaging integrity: If a package is open or tampered with, with the medication exposed to the environment, there is a high chance of medication deterioration
- visible signs of deterioration: Discoloration, damage caused by moisture, damage caused by fungi or bacteria, or any other apparent modification of the medication.
- strong and unusual odor.
How should Prednisone be properly stored?
Keep your medicine in its original packaging until it is time to take it and store it in a cool, dry place where the temperature remains below 30°C.
Avoid storing your medicine, as well as any other medications, in the bathroom or near a sink.
Additionally, refrain from leaving it on a window sill or in a car, as heat and dampness can potentially damage certain medicines.
Lastly, remember to keep this medicine out of reach of children (4).
Conclusion:
In this concise article, we have addressed the question of Presnisone’s expiration, along with additional aspects such as the potential risks associated with using expired Prednisone, recommended actions if one has consumed such medication past its expiry date, potential adverse effects of Prednisone usage, characteristics to identify spoiled Prednisone, and how this medication should be stored.
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
Gikonyo D, Gikonyo A, Luvayo D, Ponoth P. Drug expiry debate: the myth and the reality. Afr Health Sci. 2019;19(3):2737-2739.
2.-
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 2023 Jun 26]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/dont-be-tempted-use-expired-medicines.
3.-
JAMA Network. Drugs Past Their Expiration Date. JAMA. 2016;315(5):510–511.
4.-
Prednisone. New Zealand Consumer Medicine Information [Internet] [updated 2022 Sep; cited 2023 Jun 26]. Available from: https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi/a/Apoprednisone.pdf.
5.-
World Health Organization. Guidelines for the safe disposal of expired drugs [Internet] [updated 2006 May 17; cited 2023 Jun 26]. Available from: http://www.emro.who.int/images/stories/pakistan/documents/pak_documents/Guidelines_for_Expired_Medicines.pdf.
6.-
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. ICH quality guidelines [Internet] [updated 2018 Jul 13; cited 2023 Jun 26]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/guidances-drugs/international-council-harmonisation-quality.
