Expiration dates

[TracieandJim]

Why is it lancets and syringes have an expiration date? I understand as far as insulin goes, glucagon.. OTC meds but lancets and syringes? I kinda get why strips expire but not really.

[MamaC]

Are the expiration dates just on the prescription labels or on the actual items? I think prescriptions have to have an end date by law. I just looked at our stock of syringes and lancets and can't find an expiration date directly on any of the packaging. And I know I've gotten at least 1 box of lancets off the shelf at Target.

[LantusFiend]

It's how long they're guaranteed to be sterile for. Bandaids have expiration dates too.

[TracieandJim]

Are the expiration dates just on the prescription labels or on the actual items? I think prescriptions have to have an end date by law. I just looked at our stock of syringes and lancets and can't find an expiration date directly on any of the packaging. And I know I've gotten at least 1 box of lancets off the shelf at Target.

The boxes of Multiclix I have show expire dates on the bottom of the box same as the syringes.

It's how long they're guaranteed to be sterile for. Bandaids have expiration dates too.

So even when these items are packaged they lose sterility in time? How unless they are opened?

[CJ's Mom]

Why is it lancets and syringes have an expiration date? I understand as far as insulin goes, glucagon.. OTC meds but lancets and syringes? I kinda get why strips expire but not really.

I've asked our pharmacist the same thing. He had no idea & agreed it didn't make sense.

[frizzyrazzy]

I always figured that the lubrication in a syringe must break down after a while but I didn't guess it would be because they lose their sterility.

[LantusFiend]

Packaging is not forever, that's all. Teeny holes in plastic, cardboard- it's not like this stuff is canned. And imagine if it was canned. I'm actually chuckling out loud at the thought of syringes in a can.

[KTurner52]

It's sterility

[toohughey]

If they loose their sterility, will they multiply? That could save us som $$.

[frizzyrazzy]

If they loose their sterility, will they multiply? That could save us som $$.
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