Do Covid Test Kits Expire? How To Know & Can I Use It

First, do covid test kits expire? YES!

Over time, COVID-19 tests and the components they are made of may deteriorate or fail.  As a result, using test kits that are past their expiration date may produce unreliable or inaccurate results.  

Some individuals may still have expired test kits on hand if they purchased COVID-19 at-home test kits during the Omicron surge this past winter. However, before throwing them away, see if their shelf life has been extended. The FDA has updated expiration dates for some tests in light of fresh information. 

Please read on for more details about when do covid test kits expire.

Can I Use A Test That Has Already Expired?

You might be tempted to ignore COVID-19 test results if you’re used to disregarding food expiration dates. However, the FDA advises against using expired kits, despite the fact that some people interpret the dates more broadly. Dr. Ulysses Wu, system director of infectious diseases at Hartford HealthCare in Connecticut, concurs that it is best to exercise caution because using an outdated test could result in inaccurate results. “You’re more likely to have false negatives than false positives, but a false negative could give you a false sense of security when you’re actually positive for COVID, the doctor warns.

It’s possible that your test will last longer than the box indicates because diagnostic expiration dates are a “moving target.” But Wu says, “I would just follow [the latest] expiration date and if you really have a concern or you don’t want to throw it away, you can always call the company.””

How To Keep My Covid Home Tests?

A COVID-19 test’s quality can be impacted by more than just time. Wu claims that moisture and high temperatures can also reduce its accuracy. To keep them stable, he advises storing medical supplies in a cool, dark location, such as a kitchen cabinet. Wu continues, “Despite its name, your bathroom medicine cabinet is not a good place to store drugs and diagnostics because the space is frequently hot and humid.

Avoiding extreme cold is another thing to do. The liquid reagents used in the diagnostic process might freeze during delivery, some people worried when the U.S. government first started handing out free at-home test kits this past winter. The FDA claims that this is not a cause for concern, but tests are designed to be used in environments maintained at a temperature between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, you should wait a few hours before swabbing if yours becomes cold during transit (while still in the unopened box).

Wu also advises against keeping a sizable stockpile of tests on hand, despite the fact that it might be tempting in light of recent supply-chain problems. It’s a good idea to keep a few on hand in case someone in your home becomes infected or exhibits symptoms, but there’s no need to buy a lifetime’s worth at once, he advises, as they might go bad before you can use them and doing so makes it more difficult for others to obtain the supplies they require.

How To Know When Covid Test Is Due To Expire?

On the box’s side, you can find the printed date. Similar to the printed expiration date on grocery store food items, all COVID-19 tests ought to have one.

Even if the test’s marked expiration date has passed, Jahre said it might still be safe to use it. To see if your test has an updated expiration date, visit the FDA website. Brands have different shelf lives. You can find comprehensive details about the particular test you have on the FDA website, sometimes down to the precise lot number.

Why Aren’t Covid Test Packages’ Expiration Dates Accurate?

There wasn’t much information available about how long at-home tests lasted when they were first approved by the FDA. The short-term shelf life was determined by scientists using an accelerated testing method, which involved storing the tests at higher temperatures for shorter periods of time. Since the tests have been around for a lot longer, manufacturers can draw more conclusions about their longevity from the data available.

How Does The FDA Determine The Covid Test’s Shelf Life?

The shelf life of home COVID-19 tests is determined by the FDA using “stability testing.” Stability testing makes sure the test continues to function correctly for as long as the manufacturer claims. The best way to test a test’s shelf life is to store it for the amount of time it’s supposed to last (plus a little extra), then use it to see if it’s still useful. More time is available for scientists to test how long the tests remain effective the longer they are on the market.

At-home Covid Tests And Shelf Life

The CDC claims that the FDA has approved all of the at-home COVID tests listed below. We also list the kits’ shelf lives.

• BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test, 15 months
• BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test, 15 months
• CareStart COVID-19 Antigen Home Test (alternate name is “on/go”), 12 months
• SCoV-2 Ag Detect Rapid Self-Test, 13 months
• Lucira CHECK-IT COVID-19 Test Kit, 18 months
• MaximBio ClearDetect COVID-19 Antigen Home Test, 8 months
• InteliSwab COVID-19 Rapid Test, 12 months
• OHC COVID-19 Antigen Self Test, 8 months
• INDICAID COVID-19 Rapid Antigen At-Home Test, 12 months
• QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test, 12 months
• Pilot COVID-19 At-Home Test 1, 9 months
• CLINITEST Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test, 11 months
• Speedy Swab Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test, 6 months
• Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test Card, 6 months
• Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test, 16 months
• BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 Test, 6 months
• Celltrion DiaTrust COVID-19 Ag Home Test, 18 months
• Cue COVID-19 Test for Home and Over The Counter (OTC) Use, 4 months
• Detect Covid-19 Test, 12 months
• Ellume COVID-19 Home Test, 12 months
• Genabio COVID-19 Rapid Self-Test Kit, 18 months
• iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (alternate name is “Good to Know”), 12 months

The FDA states that each product’s expiration date varies and needs to be indicated on the box.

Conclusion

Do COVID test kits expire was the main topic of the article.

The COVID-19 at-home test’s “expiration date” is the last day it will be considered “shelf-stable” and the last day it will be expected to function as accurately as when it was first created.  

Regarding your reading, I thank you.