When does urea cream expire?

Where do I find the expiration date?

Look on the label and outer carton for a printed or stamped date, sometimes marked "EXP.", which turns the packaging into a very dull treasure hunt. Medicine packaging can put useful information on the label, bottle or carton. If you cannot find or read the date, ask a pharmacist about the product rather than guessing how long it has left.12

Does urea cream expire?

Yes. For medication, the expiration date marks the period during which the product retains its strength, quality and purity when stored as directed. Manufacturers establish that period through stability testing, rather than choosing one shelf life for an ingredient such as urea, which is more effort than the date gets credit for. Expired medicines can lose strength or change chemically. Do not keep using expired urea medication just because some cream remains in the container.23

How should I store urea cream?

• Follow the storage instructions on your particular product.
• General urea medication storage guidance is room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C, or 59 and 86 degrees F, in a well closed container.
• Choose a cool, dry place rather than a damp bathroom cabinet.
• If using a kitchen cabinet, keep the cream away from the sink and hot appliances, where humidity and temperature change.
• Keep urea medication out of reach of children and pets.

A well closed container is part of proper storage, so the lid has a job beyond disappearing, which is a lot of responsibility for something with no other hobbies. An unexpired date is not a reason to ignore storage conditions: heat and damp can affect medication before its printed expiry. If the cream has been stored outside its labeled conditions, ask a pharmacist what to do with that particular product.12

What should I do with expired urea cream?

Read the label for any specific disposal instructions. A medication take back location or prepaid medication return envelope is the preferred way to dispose of expired medicine. Pharmacies are among the places that offer collection facilities. If neither option is available, check the FDA's disposal instructions; flushing is only an option for medicines on its flush list.2