What do you do with expired glucose test strips?

What do you do with expired glucose test strips?

Using test strips that have expired can cause your results to be inaccurate. If your test strips have expired, throw them away and begin using a new vial of strips. The expiration date is printed on every vial of test strips.

How long are glucose test strips good after the expiration date?

After opening, blood glucose test strips can normally be used for three to six months but for this it’s important to refer to the information provided for each brand of test strips. Accuracy is key when testing your blood sugar.

Why do people buy expired diabetic strips?

Test strips that are expired, exposed to heat, or used on a meter other than the one they were made for can produce inaccurate results. Despite the risks of using second-hand supplies, the soaring cost of being a healthy diabetic explains why this black market has developed.

Do blood glucose strips really expire?

Therefore, test strip performance does change over time and it will no longer perform as intended. It is important for patients not to use test strips beyond the expiration date as LifeScan cannot guarantee the performance of the product and incorrect results could pose a risk to patient health.

Are expired glucose strips accurate?

Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that old test strips give inaccurate readings, particularly if they are beyond their expiration date. While some meters will reject expired strips, not all of them will.

Are expired diabetic test strips accurate?

It is important for patients not to use test strips beyond the expiration date as LifeScan cannot guarantee the performance of the product and incorrect results could pose a risk to patient health. The FDA also warns patients not to use expired test strips.

Can out of date diabetic test strips give false readings?

Can I donate expired test strips?

Some examples of supplies they may accept are: Unexpired and unopened: syringes, insulin (these do expire), insulin pens, and test strips.

Which finger is best for glucose testing?

Recommended finger: the World Health Organisation recommends the middle or ring fingers are used for blood glucose tests (second and third fingers). You may want to avoid using your little finger due to the skin being thin.

How do you dispose of unused expired diabetic supplies?

All those paper inserts that come with your medications, needles, CGM and pump supplies are recyclable in your household recycling bin, along with the boxes they are packaged in.

Can a glucose meter read expired test strips?

Some glucose meters can’t read an expired strip and some manufacturers sell proprietary blood glucose monitors that only read their brand of test strips (always read the fine print on meters before purchase). Why would you buy expired test strips in the first place?

Do diabetic test strips go bad?

Diabetic test strips can also go bad before the expiration date. Number three. Factors such as humidity, how long the bottle has been open, (test strips should always be used within 90 days after opening the bottle under any conditions) and other factors can affect the rate at which strips become no longer effective.

Is it illegal to sell expired blood test strips?

The box will have a red line on it. The laws are gray when it comes to re-selling test strips unless they are expired, the strips have been used, or if boxes have been opened. In other words, it’s illegal to sell expired test strips.

How accurate are expired preprecision Xtra strips?

Precision Xtra strips that expired 2 years ago were not accurate or precise. Those that expired 3 years ago gave false low readings. Most test strips that expired at least 5 years ago were less precise and accurate. They sometimes gave variable readings. The results of most “normal” readings were 10–15% lower than with unexpired strips.