Expired aspirin: Is it still safe to take the medication?

A classic in almost every home medicine cabinet: a pack of aspirin. But what should you do if the expiration date has passed? Is the painkiller still effective after the expiration date, or could there be risks?

Important: This guide is not a substitute for medical advice. You are responsible for your own actions when taking medication.

In short: Aspirin should not be taken after its expiry date.

The active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid can decompose over time. This process produces acetic acid, which can be recognized by its characteristic vinegar smell. If this occurs, the medication should be disposed of immediately.

Even if expired aspirin looks fine on the outside, its effectiveness can be significantly reduced – especially in tablets that have been exposed to moisture. Reliable pain relief is then no longer guaranteed.

In most cases, expired aspirin is not acutely toxic, but it can:

• Be less effective
• It can irritate the stomach once the active ingredient has decomposed.
• Intolerances may occur if chemical breakdown products have been formed.

Therefore, pharmacies and doctors generally advise against continuing to use expired medications.

Every package of aspirin has an expiration date – usually in the format "use by: month/year". This date is given by the manufacturer to guarantee that the medication retains its full effectiveness and safety until then, provided it is stored correctly (i.e., dry, not too warm, and protected from light).

After this date, the manufacturer no longer guarantees the quality of the medication.

Apart from the expiration date, there are some other characteristics that can be checked (for example, if the expiration date is no longer legible):

• Visual inspection: Tablets should not show any discoloration, cracks, crumbling, or stuck-together or damaged coatings. Such changes indicate reduced quality.
• Smell test: Fresh aspirin smells neutral or slightly bitter. A vinegar-like smell indicates decomposition of the acetylsalicylic acid, making its use no longer recommended.
• Consider storage conditions: Even within the expiration date, the effectiveness of the tablets may decrease if they have been exposed to moisture, heat, or direct sunlight. They are best stored in a dry, cool place in their original packaging.
• Unsure? Doubts about the quality or effectiveness are a reason to dispose of the tablets and replace them with a new pack.

Aspirin should always be stored in a dry, cool, and dark place, ideally in its original packaging. High temperatures, direct sunlight, or humidity—such as that found in bathrooms—can significantly reduce the medication's effectiveness and shelf life. Tablets should also not be stored openly in containers or jars, as contact with air can accelerate the degradation of the active ingredient.

Expired aspirin should not be disposed of in household waste or flushed down the toilet , as the active ingredients can pollute the environment or seep into groundwater.

Safe disposal is ensured through pharmacies, which generally accept old medications free of charge. Alternatively, many municipal recycling centers or hazardous waste collection points offer professional disposal. This guarantees that the active ingredients are disposed of in an environmentally sound and pollutant-free manner.

Aspirin is a widely used pain and fever reliever whose active ingredient, acetylsalicylic acid, relieves pain, inhibits inflammation, and thins the blood in low doses.

Aspirin was invented in 1897 by Bayer chemist Felix Hoffmann, who synthesized the substance in a stable and well-tolerated form. Bayer launched the drug under the brand name "Aspirin," and the name remains known worldwide to this day. Besides Bayer, there are also numerous generic versions from other manufacturers that contain the same active ingredient.