Are those expired medications on my shelf safe to use?
Often times horse owners have accumulated a menagerie of medications over the years; frequently these include SMZ’s, Regu-mate, Banamine, Phenylbutazone, etc.  In an effort to be non wasteful and save money, clients often ask veterinarians whether or not it is safe to use these drugs if they are expired.  Little is known about the risk involved with administering expired oral medications however, the expiration date is the time in which the drug can be expected to work effectively.  Therefore, in order to achieve the appropriate response to treatment, it is best to use non expired medications.  This will save money in the long run with quicker response to therapy, fewer veterinary consultations, and avoiding potential medical emergencies due to expired drug administration.