Semaglutide medications can expire. Learn what happens to the medication after this date, and why you shouldn't use it.
Semaglutide is a medication that can be used either for type 2 diabetes or for weight loss. Its ability to aid in weight loss has made this medication skyrocket in popularity. And, for many of these users, it may be the first time they are using an injectable medication.
There are a few more precautions you need to take when using an injectable medication, and some things you will want to avoid. One of the biggest things that comes to mind is abiding by the expiration or beyond-use date either printed on your medication or shared in your package information.
There can be some big risks to using an injectable medication after it has expired. In this article, we will cover some of these risks, as well as reiterate why it’s not worth it to use expired injectable medications.
Semaglutide medications can change drastically once they expire. An expired medication will slowly lose potency over time. Although, this process may be sped up if the medication has not been stored at the proper temperature or away from light.
A lower potency of your medication might mean that your diabetes is not as well controlled, or your weight loss efforts are hindered. You simply won’t be getting the same amount of active Semaglutide as a full-potency in-date medication.
In addition to a decline in potency, your medication may be harboring fungus or bacteria after expiration. While the medication was made in a sterile environment, once that container has been opened or punctured, it’s exposed to the bacteria and fungi which is all around us in the air, on surfaces, and on you. Even if you keep a very clean home, there are bacteria and fungi everywhere outside of a sterile lab environment. For sterile vials where you insert needles, there is a risk with each puncture of pathogens being pushed into the solution.
A contaminated injectable medication can cause dangerous problems if injected. This could mean infections, or strong immune reactions. Basically, once the toss date has been reached, it’s not worth it to risk introducing bacteria or fungi into your body.
Aside from the pathogen contamination and loss of potency, expired injectable medications might start changing how they look. This may include color changes, cloudiness, or even particulates forming at the bottom of the container. In no situation should you use an injectable medication if the appearance has changed, even if you are still within the expiration date window.
Another thing to factor in is the date that you first opened your Semaglutide medication or punctured the vial. This now starts a totally different timer on the medication.
For the brand-name Semaglutide medication, Ozempic, they recommend discarding the medication 56 days after the pen was first used. Many vials of Semaglutide have the post-puncture date rule of discarding the medication 28 days after the vial was first punctured.
This “first-use” date is important to know, because if this time is up before the expiration date, the medication should not be used, even if you have more medication left in the container. This is for your safety and to reduce the risk of bacterial or fungal contamination.
If your Semaglutide medication is expired of beyond its first-puncture date timeline, you need to play it safe and discard the medication, even if there is medication left. It’s not worth it to risk infection, or get a sub-par dose of your medication.
Try to avoid medication waste but keeping an eye on these dates every use, and be sure to not miss a dosage.
If your medication’s expiration or post-puncture date is looming, contact your prescriber or pharmacy to ensure your refill will be ready in time for your next dosage.
It may be confusing to identify the correct expiration or discard date for your medication. Talk with your provider or pharmacy for more guidance on your exact product if you are not sure.
Here at Strut Health, we carry compounded oral and injectable Semaglutide medications. They are prescribed online after you complete a free, online, questionnaire-based doctor’s consultation. If you are a good candidate for this medication, you will checkout, and your prescription will be put together at a licensed compounding pharmacy. Then, your medication will be shipped to your front door with free shipping.
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