Before a medication comes onto to the market and is sold, there is data to assure that it will not change chemical composition and that it will be just as good as it was day one by a certain length of time. Whatever is the time at which they studied, that is the expiration date. What we do not have access to is whether or not the medication decomposed and change to a new chemical entity or was that just all the further out it was studied? If you have ever had an aspirin bottle get old and you open it, you found that it smells like vinegar. That is because it actually changes chemical structure to vinegar. Sometimes medications can change to a different structure and there are some that can be dangerous. They could cause kidney failure or liver failure or have huge negative impacts. There are others where they might just be a little less potent. That is a very broad answer, but it is medication to medication and we are finding that we do not have a good source of information to guide people. The safest bet is to use the expiration date on the bottle.
Michelle A. Fritsch, Pharm.D., CGP, BCACP
Michelle Fritsch, Pharm.D., CGP, BCACP is a clinical pharmacist with a passion for geriatric health and education. She is currently founder of Meds MASH, LLC, a company dedicated to reducing risks posed by medications and falls in mature adults. She was from 2008-2014 founding Professor and Chair, Department of Clinical and Administrative Sciences at the Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Fritsch received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from Purdue University. She then completed a primary care residency at the William S. Middleton Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Prior to her arrival at the Notre Dame of Maryland University, Dr. Fritsch founded and directed the Alamance Medication Assistance Program (AlaMAP) of Alamance Regional Medical Center (ARMC) in Burlington, North Carolina from 1997 to 2008. The AlaMAP clinic provides medication therapy management and medication access to a geriatric population in Alamance County, North Carolina.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/oncologic-pharmacology-for-rehabilitation-professional-3894Oncologic Pharmacology for the Rehabilitation ProfessionalA vast array of drugs are used to treat patients with cancer. This webinar will introduce the attendee to the basic pharmacology of these drugs, the mechanism of action of different classes of these drugs, and frequently observed adverse effects of these drugs. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
A vast array of drugs are used to treat patients with cancer. This webinar will introduce the attendee to the basic pharmacology of these drugs, the mechanism of action of different classes of these drugs, and frequently observed adverse effects of these drugs. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/high-alert-medications-in-home-3966High-Alert Medications in Home HealthThe focus of this webinar is on three classes of high-alert medications that have the potential for patient harm if used incorrectly. The indications, mechanism of action, side effects, and implications for physical therapy for each medication class is discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
The focus of this webinar is on three classes of high-alert medications that have the potential for patient harm if used incorrectly. The indications, mechanism of action, side effects, and implications for physical therapy for each medication class is discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/geriatric-pharmacology-pt-role-and-3488Geriatric Pharmacology: PT Role and ResponsibilitiesThis course will look at issues related to geriatric pharmacology and PT role in pharmaceutical management; especially in the home health setting. Issues related to polypharmacy, adverse effects and aging systems as related to the PT plan of care will be presented through case scenarios. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
This course will look at issues related to geriatric pharmacology and PT role in pharmaceutical management; especially in the home health setting. Issues related to polypharmacy, adverse effects and aging systems as related to the PT plan of care will be presented through case scenarios. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/put-down-drugs-evidence-based-3072Put Down the Drugs: Evidence-Based Interventions to Reduce Unwanted Behaviors with DementiaPTs can apply evidence-based interventions to improve dementia care. This session reviews the etiology of common behaviors. Cognitive-emotion, multi-sensory, animal-assisted, and exercise interventions to reduce agitation are discussed as well as specific strategies for improving task-related engagement. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.auditory, textual, visual
'Very comprehensive, from the etiology of behavioral disorders/and sxs to interventions (cognitive, multi-sensory, animal-assisted, exercise), and targeting specific behaviors with interventions (agitation, wandering)'Read Reviews
PTs can apply evidence-based interventions to improve dementia care. This session reviews the etiology of common behaviors. Cognitive-emotion, multi-sensory, animal-assisted, and exercise interventions to reduce agitation are discussed as well as specific strategies for improving task-related engagement. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/supporting-lgbtq-senior-in-healthcare-4096Supporting the LGBTQ Senior in HealthcareThis training describes the required elements for responding to the emerging needs of long term care communities to provide sensitive and respectful services to LGBT elders. The training reviews definitions related to sexual orientation and gender identity challenges experienced by LGBT older adults, and strategies for communication and policies that honor residents' rights. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.auditory, textual, visual
This training describes the required elements for responding to the emerging needs of long term care communities to provide sensitive and respectful services to LGBT elders. The training reviews definitions related to sexual orientation and gender identity challenges experienced by LGBT older adults, and strategies for communication and policies that honor residents' rights. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.