What happens if you take expired sleeping pills?

Expired sleeping pills can be dangerous and should not be taken.

Sleeping pills, also known as hypnotics, work by slowing down the activity of the central nervous system, which helps to promote sleep. When taken as prescribed, sleeping pills can be effective in treating short-term sleep problems.

However, taking expired sleeping pills can increase the risk of serious side effects, including:

- Respiratory depression: Expired sleeping pills can cause the respiratory system to slow down, leading to shallow breathing or even respiratory arrest. This can be especially dangerous for people with underlying respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD.

- Cardiovascular problems: Expired sleeping pills can also affect the heart and blood vessels, causing changes in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or even heart failure.

- Central nervous system depression: Expired sleeping pills can cause a significant depression of the central nervous system, leading to symptoms such as confusion, disorientation, slurred speech, impaired coordination, and seizures.

- Coma or death: In some cases, taking expired sleeping pills can lead to coma or even death.

In addition, the effectiveness of expired sleeping pills may be reduced, meaning that you may not get the desired therapeutic effect.

If you have any expired sleeping pills, it is important to discard them safely and consult a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about your sleep medication.