Q: I have a bottle of expired ibuprofen tablets. Will they still work if I have nothing else?
A: If your ibuprofen was capped and properly stored, it might still be effective. Drug products certified by the USP (a leading standards authority) retain at least 90% potency up to their expiration month, and manufacturers typically choose conservative expiration dates anyway it ensures that products are purchased regularly. Research suggests that most meds, in both opened & unopened containers, are safe & effective at least a year or two past the expiration date (provided they're kept in a low humidity environment so don't store pills in your steamy bathroom). Still, practice common sense: Risk an expired pill for sore muscles, if need be but if it's a potentially lifesaving daily aspirin or prescription med, don't put your trust in an expired batch.
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