If your child gets sick, you want to make them feel better, right away. If you're reaching for a medicine that's old, you will likely not get any relief, and may actually put your child in danger. So watch those expiration dates.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD/Pediatrician
It's one thing if a product looks relatively new like this, but if it looks like this and it's in your cabinet it's definitely not going to be safe to use. And some of these are antiques I've saved them for their antique value.

You can, in some cases, go past the expiration date of a medicine. But it's not recommended. Medicines break down over time. Often the medicine degrades and will be less effective. In other cases they break down into compounds which can hurt you. One example of that is amoxicillin, in liquid form, for children.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD
It's good for about 13 to 14 days. If you keep it past 17, 18, 19 days and take it, it can actually do harm to your kidneys. I've actually seen that in my patients.

Allergic reactions of many degrees are possible when taking expired medicines, in people of any age. Just don't make the mistake when you're trying to console a sick child. Have your cabinet uncluttered and free of any old products.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD
Certain things you can contaminate like nose spray or eye drops. Once you touch it to something you have just contaminated that product. It's only good for that use period only.

Dr. Matusic stresses it's important to read the expiration date, and any package insert for directions from the drug's maker.

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