The doctor spoke about the dangers of expired and counterfeit medicines

Some medicines retain their properties even many months after the expiration date. However, it is known that certain drugs, such as antibiotics and insulin, can change their chemical composition or lose their effectiveness over time. Olga Ulankina, an expert doctor at the Hemotest laboratory, told Izvestia about this on March 17.

"It is especially dangerous to take expired medications that regulate the functioning of the heart and nervous system. For example, medications for arrhythmias, increased blood clotting, and seizures. If a person took them to stop a life-threatening condition, and they did not work properly due to the fact that their expiration date has already expired, the consequences can be the most severe," she warned.

The doctor nevertheless recommended to monitor the expiration date of the drugs, and to throw away all spoiled medicines.

"In some preparations (especially in liquid forms — syrups, drops, suspensions), bacteria can multiply over time. This can negatively affect the functioning of the digestive system, cause bacterial infection of the eyes and nose, especially in children and patients with weakened immune systems. In addition, expired medications can cause an allergic reaction, poisoning, and even disorders of the heart, kidneys, liver, and visual organs," Ulankina added.

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According to her, the situation with counterfeit drugs is more serious: they do not contain the necessary active substance, and are also made from low-quality, and sometimes even toxic raw materials, with a violation of production technology. In such cases, medications can have an unpredictable effect on the body, the specialist explained.

"Fakes are most often found among expensive drugs: antibiotics, hormonal drugs, drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. It is almost impossible to distinguish them from the real ones without laboratory analysis, even the packaging may look identical," Ulankina concluded.

The symptoms of poisoning can also vary from nausea and vomiting to severe neurological disorders: seizures, confusion, respiratory depression and heart function. Kidney and liver damage is possible. If drug intoxication is suspected, an ambulance should be called immediately, rather than trying to normalize the condition on their own, the doctor emphasized.

On March 2, Natalia Bordan, MD, President of the Society of Bariatric Surgeons of Russia, told Izvestia about the consequences of uncontrolled intake of weight loss pills. Possible consequences include digestive disorders, sudden fluctuations in blood sugar levels, dehydration, nausea, and with prolonged use, hormonal disruptions and metabolic disorders. In addition to the main consequences, it can also affect aesthetic aspects: sagging skin, loss of tone, which is especially important with a sharp weight loss, the doctor said.