I never realized that some of the over-the-counter, everyday medications we have in our homes come with an expiration date. That was quite the shock to me!! I thought they were good forever, but it turns out I was seriously wrong. For those that have an FSA or Flexible Savings Account for their healthcare should keep this in mind when they are faced with their FSA dollars expiring December 31. We here at HPFY can possibly give some clarity into which medications or over-the-counter first-aid products are FSA eligible for your purchase before they expire and disappear.
Once we buy an over-the-counter (OTC) medication or ointment it’s often easy to forget that they don’t last forever. Whether it’s cold medicine or calamine lotion or even a cream or salve for itchy skin or a rash, they do have an expiration date. On a safety note, even though they say “over the counter” this does not mean that they should be left on the kitchen counter or within easy reach of small children. Children overdose every year on OTC medications, so keeping them in the medicine chest/cabinet is a good idea. Each of these over-the-counter medications has an expiration date on it and keeping medications past this date can mean the medicine in them can become less effective when they are truly needed the most. Expiration dates are scientifically based upon when the manufacturer can fully guarantee the full effectiveness, purity, and safety of an over-the-counter medication in a closed container. Some tips for storing your OTC medication include:
Try our newly added iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kit
With all FSA plans, you lose your pretax dollars at the end of the year if they are not used. This is a great time to check the first-aid kit or medicine cabinet to see what FSA eligible over-the-counter medicines you may need to replace. Simply check the expiration date on these meds and be sure to use your FSA dollars to replace these every day OTC medications. Some eligible FSA medications can include:
It is critically important that any expired medication gets disposed of properly and not just willy-nilly where it could be accidentally ingested by small children or pets. The FDA offers guidelines for how to properly dispose of unused medication that could be expired. Visit the FDA website at:
Often we take the over-the-counter medicines that we keep in our medicine cabinets or first-aid kits for granted. We just assume that they are good and effective when we need them and that time doesn’t have any negative effect on them. Turns out over time they can lose their efficacy and not provide the proper relief we need from simple, everyday ailments. Be sure to check your medicine cabinet annually and if anything needs replacing, use your FSA funds wisely to replenish your stock pile before forfeiting any annual FSA contributions.
Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.
Hi there, my name is Kevin Cleary. I was born in Westchester County in 1966 on December 3. I lived there until 1973 when my family moved. I graduated from high school in 1984 and then attended college in New ...
What Everyone Should Know About Resistance Band Colors
Resistance exercise bands come in a number of colors and it’s not just for decoration. Many people use these bands however, they do not have the knowledge of the colors and the purpose with which they are designed.
5 Facts about Syringes You Wish You Knew Before
A syringe is a pump consisting of a snugly fit piston(or plunger) within a calibrated glass or plastic cylinder called a barrel.The syringe is equipped with a hypodermic needle, nozzle, or tubing that helps direct the flow of medication.
TOP 5 BEST REVIEWED NEBULIZERS OF 2022
Breathing disorders, such as COPD or asthma, can be a major detriment when it comes to quality-of-life issues.Treating these breathing ailments with medications is the main course of treatment.Being able to deliver aerosol medication directly into the lungs in an expedited fashion is the best way to manage these lung disorders. The use of a nebulizer for aerosol medications allows for the efficient and easy delivery of these medications.
MINERAL OIL VS SALINE ENEMA: WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE?
An enema is used for many reasons.Just as there are many reasons, there are different types of enemas, each of which contains different ingredients and works differently in the body. While some may choose an enema to soften stool or for routine colon cleansing, the reason for using an enema may have more of a medical necessity.
FIVE BEST CERVICAL TRACTION DEVICES OF 2022
Cervical traction is a technique applied to the cervical region of the body to help alleviate neck pain, discomfort, and other physical conditions related to the cervical region.Cervical traction works by stressing the neck, pulling, and pushing, thus reducing the pressure on the spine, the neck, and the upper torso.Excessive stress on the neck, spine, and upper region, due to a wide range of conditions or injuries can cause severe pain and can lead to other complications.Cervical traction devices help alleviates these conditions thus offering overall body rehabilitation and treatment options.