Locations:
Search IconSearch

Can You Still Use an Expired COVID-19 Test?

Antibodies used to detect the virus can weaken over time, so results may not be reliable

someone taking an at-home covid test

You’ve got a fever, a cough and feel exhausted — symptoms that are common with COVID-19. You’d like to take an at-home test, but when you go to grab one from your medicine cabinet, you realize it’s expired.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

What should you do? Is it OK to still use an expired COVID-19 test? Are expired COVID-19 tests accurate?

Microbiologist and pathologist Daniel Rhoads, MD, explains why at-home COVID-19 tests expire and what kind of results you may get if you use one.

Do COVID-19 tests expire?

Yes. At-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests expire. These at-home tests are used to collect a sample from inside your nose to measure it against COVID-19 antibodies that are stored in the testing strip.

While certain parts of the at-home test kit like the swab don’t expire, there are parts like the vials of liquid and testing strips that do.

“There are SARS-CoV-2-antigen-specific antibodies in the test — that’s what the test relies upon for its reliability. The antibodies in the test capture the antigen that’s part of the virus,” Dr. Rhoads explains. “So, those antibodies can go bad over time. They’re little pieces of protein, so they can deteriorate over time.”

If there’s liquid in the test, it can potentially evaporate over time, which means you won’t have enough liquid volume to properly conduct the test.

Do expired COVID-19 tests work?

So, can you use an expired COVID-19 test?

First, it’s important to make sure that your at-home test is actually expired.

“The expiration date listed on the package might not be its actual expiration date,” notes Dr. Rhoads. “When manufacturers first released these tests, they had conservative expiration dates. As they do additional studies and demonstrate that the expiration date can be pushed back, then they can extend it. But the boxes have already been distributed, with the original expiration date already listed on it.”

Advertisement

To check your COVID-19 test expiration date, Dr. Rhoads recommends verifying it with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website. It lists the manufacturer’s name, the name of the test and any extended expiration dates. In some cases, you can compare lot numbers from an at-home test box against the list. Many tests have had their expiration dates extended anywhere from 15 to 22 months.

If you have a test that has an extended expiration date, your test should work and give you accurate results. But if you have an expired test, Dr. Rhoads says the FDA advises against using it to determine if you have COVID-19, as the results might not be accurate.

Will an expired COVID-19 test give you a false positive?

“Scientifically, it doesn’t make sense to get a false positive using an expired test,” states Dr. Rhoads. “The concern would be for you to get a false negative. If the antibodies stopped working as well, then the test might not detect the virus as well as it could when it was initially manufactured.”

If you have symptoms or were in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you should either use an at-home test that isn’t expired or have a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test done.

How to store your at-home COVID-19 tests

You want to keep your at-home COVID-19 tests in a dry place — and keep your tests in their original packaging.

“They’re usually packaged pretty well, but I’d keep them where you keep your medicines in a cool, dry place,” advises Dr. Rhoads.

This is important because factors like extreme heat or cold can affect results. And you want to keep at-home tests out of reach of children and pets.

Whether you want to stock up on at-home tests or get one whenever you need to test, that’s up to you.

“If you feel that you want to be able to test on a moment’s notice, you should keep one on hand,” encourages Dr. Rhoads.

If you’re experiencing symptoms or have come in contact with someone who has COVID-19, the FDA recommends testing more than once and every couple of days if using antigen tests.

Knowing for sure if you have COVID-19 can help you prevent the spread of the virus to others and also help your healthcare provider select the best COVID-19 treatment or management strategy for you.

But overall, the best defense against severe COVID-19 is getting your vaccination and staying up to date with any boosters recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

Baby receiving a shot in their leg by healthcare provider
December 5, 2024/Children's Health
COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids: What To Know and Why It’s Important

Children as young as 6 months should get vaccinated, but dosage guidelines depend on kids’ ages and past vaccines

Glass of water on table, with medicine bottle of purple capsules, and capsules on table
November 27, 2024/Infectious Disease
Can Melatonin Help Treat COVID-19?

Studies have shown promising results, but additional research is needed

Older male reclining on couch, blowing nose, with cold medications and products on coffee table
What’s the Difference Between Walking Pneumonia and Pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia is milder and doesn’t always require medication — but it’s also highly contagious

Healthcare provider examining person's throat in office, with oversized germs around
November 21, 2024/Infectious Disease
How Laryngitis and COVID-19 Can Impact Your Voice

Infection and inflammation can cause you to lose your voice and have other voice changes until you’re fully healed

Person lying stomach down on bed, head on crossed arms, staring into the distance
Having COVID-19 May Increase Your Risk of Depression

A COVID-19 infection can bring on depression or anxiety months after physical symptoms go away

Person in mask and medical coveralls handling COVID-19 vials with gloved hands
November 14, 2024/Infectious Disease
COVID-19 Variants: What’s New and Why We’re Still Concerned

Just like the flu, COVID-19 continues to evolve every year with new and smarter variants

Scientist/lab tech in lab wearing mask and white coat working, with test tubes on counter
November 11, 2024/Infectious Disease
FLiRT COVID Variants: What To Know

The latest omicron subvariants carry specific mutations that may allow the SARS-CoV-2 virus to be better at evading immune protection

Male sitting on edge of bed with head in hands, distressed, with female sitting in bed, with germs floating around
November 7, 2024/Infectious Disease
Can COVID-19 Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Research shows the virus can affect your ability to get or maintain an erection

Trending Topics

Person touching aching ear, with home remedies floating around
Home Remedies for an Ear Infection: What To Try and What To Avoid

Not all ear infections need antibiotics — cold and warm compresses and changing up your sleep position can help

Infographic of foods high in iron, including shrimp, oysters, peas, cream of wheat, prunes, eggs, broccoli, beef and chicken
52 Foods High In Iron

Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey

Person squeezing half a lemon into a glass of water
Is Starting Your Day With Lemon Water Healthy?

A glass of lemon water in the morning can help with digestion and boost vitamin C levels, and may even help get you into a better routine

Ad