Can Lianhua Qingwen granules that have expired six months ago still be taken?

Dec 09, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

In general, Lianhua Qingwen granules that have expired for six months are not recommended for consumption. When purchasing regularly, pay attention to the expiration date and buy according to household usage needs to avoid long-term stockpiling. After opening the package, promptly seal the bag and store it in a cool, dry, light-protected place to prevent moisture and deterioration. Organize your home medicine cabinet monthly and store expired medications separately.

Generally, it is not recommended to take Lianhua Qingwen granules that have expired for six months. The specific analysis is as follows:

After being expired for six months, the active ingredients in Lianhua Qingwen granules have significantly degraded, essentially losing their original therapeutic effects. Taking them will not relieve symptoms and may delay proper treatment. Long-term storage can easily cause the granules to absorb moisture, clump together, and breed bacteria or mold, possibly generating unknown harmful degradation products. Once ingested, these substances may lead to mild gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea and diarrhea, or in severe cases, irritate internal organs and increase health risks. Therefore, consuming the medication after six months past its expiration date is absolutely not recommended.

When purchasing medications, always check the expiration date and buy only the amount commonly used by your household to avoid long-term stockpiling. After opening the package, promptly reseal the bag and store it in a cool, dry, dark place to prevent dampness and deterioration. Organize your home medicine cabinet monthly, keep expired medicines separately, and dispose of them collectively at community hazardous waste collection points. Before taking any medication, in addition to verifying the expiration date, inspect the appearance of the granules—do not consume if discoloration, unusual odor, or clumping occurs, even if still within the shelf life—to ensure medication safety through careful attention to detail.

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