What does the term "expiration date" refer to in pharmacology?

The term "expiration date" in pharmacology specifically refers to the date after which a drug should not be used. This date is determined by the manufacturer and is based on stability studies that assess how long the drug maintains its potency, safety, and efficacy under specified storage conditions. After this date, the integrity of the drug cannot be guaranteed, and it may begin to lose its effectiveness or could potentially become harmful.

Understanding expiration dates is crucial for medication administration practices because administering medications beyond this date can pose significant health risks. Safe medication management involves ensuring that drugs are within their effective dates to avoid any possibility of using a compromised product.