India, July 17 -- Should you panic after accidentally taking expired medicine? The simple answer is no. Now, the explanation: you shouldn't panic, but you should know that the effectiveness of expired medicine might be reduced, and in some cases, it could be harmful, Dr Rahul Mehta, a general physician, told HT Lifestyle. Also read | Extreme heat and some medicines can be a risky combo. Here's what to know

He said, "One of the most common misconceptions I encounter is that expired medicines become instantly toxic or dangerous. That's not entirely accurate. Expiry dates on medicines are based on the period during which the manufacturer can guarantee full potency and safety, under specific storage conditions."

Dr Mehta added, "The truth i...