Are expired COVID tests still accurate?

Expired COVID-19 tests may not work accurately because the chemical components inside can degrade over time.

Key Facts About Expired Tests

• Risk of False Negatives: An old test's antibodies can break down, meaning it might show a negative result even if you actually have COVID-19.
• Reliable Positives: If an expired test shows a positive result, you can generally trust it as a true positive.
• Check for Extensions: Do not throw away a test just because the date on the box has passed. The FDA At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests page lists extended expiration dates for many brands and lot numbers.

What You Should Do

• Look at your test's box for the brand name and lot number, then check the FDA Expiration Extensions to see if it is still valid.
• If the extended date has passed or your test is not listed, throw it away.
• If you have symptoms but get a negative result on an old or expired test, use a fresh test or get a lab PCR test to confirm.

Most foods and medications remain usable past their printed dates, but safety depends entirely on how the item is labeled and stored.

Food Guidelines by Label Type

• Best If Used By / Before: This date tracks quality, not safety. Items like cereal, chips, and crackers taste best before this date, but remain safe to eat for weeks or months afterward if they look and smell normal.
• Sell By: This date helps stores manage inventory. Perishable items like milk and meat often last a few days to a week past this date if properly refrigerated.
• Use By: This is the last date recommended for peak quality. Most foods are still safe past this date as long as there are no signs of spoilage.
• Infant Formula: This is a strict safety exception. Never use baby formula past the expiration date.

General Shelf Life Beyond Dates

• Pantry and Canned Goods: Canned vegetables and soups last for 2 to 5 years past purchase if stored in a cool, dry place. Throw out any cans that bulge, leak, or rust heavily.
• Frozen Foods: Frozen items are safe indefinitely because bacteria cannot grow in a freezer, though quality and flavor decline over time.
• Leftovers: Cooked leftovers should only be kept for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Medicine Guidelines

• Pills and Tablets: Solid medications like aspirin or prescription tablets often retain potency for years past their expiration date if kept in a cool, dry place.
• Liquids and Drops: Liquid medicines, eye drops, and injectable medications lose effectiveness quickly and can grow bacteria. Never use expired eye drops or liquid antibiotics.

Do not use an at-home COVID-19 test if the date printed on the box has passed, unless the manufacturer or regulators have officially extended its expiration date.

Checking Extended Expiration Dates

• Look up the lot number: Find the lot number and printed date on your test box or foil wrapper.
• Check official lists: Visit the FDA At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests page to see if your specific lot number has an authorized shelf-life extension.
• Do not use unlisted tests: If your expired test is not on an official extension list, throw it away.

Risks of Expired Tests

• False negatives: Chemical components degrade over time, meaning an expired test may fail to detect the virus if your viral load is low.
• False sense of security: A negative result from an old, unextended test cannot be fully trusted, especially if you have active symptoms.
• Reliable positives: If an expired test shows a positive result, it is generally accurate, but any lingering doubt or symptoms should be confirmed with a fresh test or a lab PCR test.

Disposal and Replacement

• Throw away safely: Place genuinely expired or degraded tests (discolored liquid, damaged components) into your normal household trash.
• Get new supplies: Buy replacement kits online or at a local pharmacy, or check for community resources.

The likelihood of a false negative on a COVID-19 test depends heavily on the type of test you take and when you take it during your infection.

Rapid Antigen Tests (At-Home Tests)

• Higher risk: Rapid antigen tests have a significantly higher chance of giving a false negative compared to lab-based tests, missing anywhere from 20% to 50% or more of active infections, especially if viral loads are low.
• Early testing: If you test too early—such as right after exposure or on the first day or two of symptoms—the virus may not have multiplied enough for the test to detect it. The false-negative rate is highest during the earliest days of infection.
• No symptoms: Testing when you have no symptoms or before symptoms start further increases the chance of a false negative.

PCR Tests (Lab Tests)

• Lower risk: PCR tests are much more sensitive and accurate (often over 99% accurate when performed correctly in a lab).
• Timing factors: Even with PCR, a false negative can still happen if the sample is taken too early after exposure or if the swab technique is poor. Pooled false-negative rates for RT-PCR can range from about 2% to roughly 20–30% depending on the exact day of the illness.

How to Reduce Your Risk of a False Negative

• Repeat testing: The FDA recommends serial (repeat) testing. If you test negative on a rapid antigen test but have symptoms or a known exposure, test again 48 hours later.
• Follow guidelines: Always read instructions carefully to ensure you swab correctly. If you continue to feel sick or suspect you have COVID-19 despite negative home tests, assume you may be positive, take precautions like wearing a mask, or confirm with a professional PCR test.

Walgreens does not offer free at-home COVID-19 test kits to everyone automatically, but you may get them at no cost if your insurance plan covers them.

Insurance and At-Home Tests

• Insurance Coverage: You can check for no-cost test kits through the Walgreens Insurance Ordering Portal by entering your insurance information.
• Out-of-Pocket Cost: If your insurance does not cover the test or you do not have insurance, you must pay for at-home kits. Prices range from about $10 to $24 per kit (such as the Walgreens At-Home COVID-19 Test Kit which costs $16.99 or 2 for $30.00).

In-Store Testing

• In-Store Options: Rapid PCR or antigen tests done at select Walgreens locations may have different rules. Some specialized federal or state programs provide free testing for specific groups like the uninsured or veterans, but standard rapid tests or combo flu/COVID-19 tests in-store generally cost up to $29.99 if not covered.
• Location Check: You can view testing options and availability near you on the Walgreens Testing and Treatment Page.