Samuel Grossman, BS Pharm, Pharm.D, CDE Answered 2/11/2015

Although there is no specific time for which you can keep using medication vials, commonly used medications in prescription vials can be used safely for about 6 months from the time they are picked up from the pharmacy. Medications that have been stored for a couple of years may be expired and should not be used because they may lose their potency due to changes in lighting and temperature. However, if you have the original medication bottle that was packed by the manufacturer, and the seal is not broken, you can keep use it up until the manufacturer's expiration date listed on the bottle.