Comments on: Quick Tip – Mark and update your OTC drugs yearly!

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 19:39:17 +0000

In reply to Win Marsh. Thanks, Win! Here's what a real medical pro suggests vs. a dirtbag hiker like me. Ha! Appreciate it.

By: Win Marsh

Win Marsh — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:20:35 +0000

I print out little labels for all meds. Each label includes what it is for, name of med, dosage and expiration date. I go through those meds every spring and check expiration dates. While medications are mostly still good long after the expiration date, I want peak efficacy of any medication I might need emergently in the backcountry.

Example:

Aches & Pains
Ibuprofen
200 mg tabs
1-2 every 4-6 hours
Max 1200 mg in 24 hrs.
Expires 12/27

Walmart sells ziplock bags in a 2 “ x 2 “ size. Those are perfect for what I pack.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 16:37:39 +0000

In reply to Roger Moore.

Thanks for sharing. But I’ll defer to advice from medical professionals. In short, it’s probably “fine,” but potentially less effective, especially for medication that’s spent time exposed to heat, cold, and moisture in a first aid kit: https://www.poison.org/articles/expired-medicines-can-you-take-them

(EDIT: I’ll add this info to the post.)

By: Roger Moore

Roger Moore — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:36:15 +0000

It’s a good idea to check everything in the kit.

But for most solid medication’s, the ingredients are relatively inert and should not expire regardless of expiration date.

Expiration dates are primarily set by the evidencesubmitted to the FDA. A two-year expiration date it doesn’t mean it’s unsafe to take them after two years. It means the company has not submitted efficacy or safety data that would validate both the efficacy and the safety of the medication past that expiration point.

I’m not saying not to replace them. But if they are in the kit and expired, I would still use them.

On the other hand, my wife tosses out everything that is expired. Whatever.