{"id":633253,"date":"2025-08-26T09:30:19","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T13:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633253"},"modified":"2025-08-21T17:06:38","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T21:06:38","slug":"does-hydrocortisone-expire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/does-hydrocortisone-expire\/","title":{"rendered":"Does hydrocortisone expire?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you have a particularly itchy insect bite, allergic reaction, or a flare-up from a skin condition like <\/span>eczema<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>psoriasis<\/span><\/a>, or dermatitis, <\/span>hydrocortisone<\/span><\/a> can come to your rescue. <\/span>Hydrocortisone<\/span><\/a> is a corticosteroid used topically to treat itching, swelling, and other minor skin irritations. It comes in cream, ointment, or lotion, and, needless to say, it\u2019s smart to always have a tube in your medicine cabinet\u2014perhaps next to the antihistamines you use for allergic reactions and itchy skin conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But what happens if you (luckily) go a while without needing to use it? Does hydrocortisone expire, or can you just use it until the tube is empty? Like all over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications and dietary supplements, hydrocortisone does expire. Here\u2019s what you need to know about when and how to use it and the best ways to store it to maximize efficacy over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Does hydrocortisone expire?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes, hydrocortisone expires. \u201cA common shelf-life for hydrocortisone cream is around two to three years,\u201d says <\/span>Brendan Camp, MD<\/span><\/a>, a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York. Of course, that\u2019s assuming that your drugstore has restocked the shelves recently. It\u2019s possible that you may pick up a tube of hydrocortisone cream that will expire sooner, so it\u2019s always smart to check the date before you leave the store to make sure you\u2019re buying something that will last you a while.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe expiration date is the latest date the manufacturer will guarantee the medication will work as intended,\u201d explains <\/span>James Reissig, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a>, Clinical Operations Pharmacy Manager at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. \u201cOver time, medications can degrade and become less effective.\u201d That\u2019s the biggest concern when you\u2019re dealing with expired medication: Once you\u2019re past the expiration date, it likely won\u2019t work as well in fighting the symptoms it is meant to treat.<\/span><\/p>\n

This holds true for all medications, regardless of the formulation or how you get it. \u201cThe <\/span>FDA<\/span><\/a> and manufacturers will instruct you to dispose of medications once they have expired, regardless of whether the medication is from a prescription drug or OTC or tablet\/capsule or topical (such as a cream, ointment, or gel),\u201d Dr. Reissig says.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tHydrocortisone 30 gm of 2.5% (1 Tube)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Walmart\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$4.65\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Walmart\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$4.65\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Hydrocortisone prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

Where is the expiration date?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The good news: If you\u2019ve got an unbearable rash and toss the box for your hydrocortisone before checking the expiration date, you don\u2019t need to worry. \u201cFor OTC topical medications, such as hydrocortisone cream, there will be an expiration date stamped on the box and somewhere on the tube,\u201d Dr. Reissig says. \u201cThe expiration date on the tube is often stamped at the end where the tube has been crimped closed.\u201d Per the FDA, the date will often follow the letters \u201cEXP\u201d so you\u2019ll know which set of numbers to look for. If you can\u2019t find an \u201cEXP\u201d anywhere but do see a date between 18 months and three years in the future, there\u2019s a good chance that\u2019s the expiration date.<\/span><\/p>\n

To maintain the efficacy of your hydrocortisone cream until that date, Dr. Camp and Dr. Reissig recommend <\/span>storing your medication<\/span><\/a> in a place that is:<\/span><\/p>\n