What should be done with discolored or outdated medications?

The appropriate course of action for discolored or outdated medications is to never administer them. Medications that are discolored or past their expiration date may have degraded in potency, altered effectiveness, or could potentially be harmful. Administering such medications poses significant risks to patient safety, including adverse reactions or therapeutic failures.

In a clinical setting, it is fundamental to prioritize the health and safety of patients; therefore, medications that are not in optimal condition should be discarded in accordance with facility policies. This ensures that only safe and effective medications are available for patient care. Additionally, reporting these findings to a nurse is also important so that proper disposal procedures can be followed and so that further review of the medication supply can occur to prevent future occurrences.