What is the appropriate label for a medication that expires within 24 hours of being opened?

The appropriate label for a medication that expires within 24 hours of being opened is "Expiration date and time." This is because medications that have a short shelf life after being opened require precise labeling to ensure safety and efficacy. Specifying both the date and time indicates to healthcare providers and patients the exact moment by which the medication should no longer be used. This level of detail is especially critical for medications that may not maintain their potency or safety beyond this short time frame, helping to prevent the risk of administration of an ineffective or potentially harmful product.

In contrast, simply labeling the medication with an expiration date does not provide enough information about when the medication was opened or when it should be discarded if it has a very tight time frame for safe usage. Similarly, indicating only the time the medication was opened or labeling it as the open date fails to convey essential information about the total time left before expiry, which is crucial for ensuring patient safety and compliance with proper medication storage practices.