Any pharmacist’s around? How long can I keep unused co-codomol?

[icebearforpresident]

I’m clearing out the medicine cabinet and found some co-codomol that was prescribed back in 2018. At the time I had a bad chest infection was was given it to help suppress the coughing, I did think at the time I had been given far too many tablets (I have nearly 30 left over) as I know they can cause addiction but I used them as prescribed for a few days then forgot about them.

A few months ago I took a couple when I had a bad toothache, not realising at the time how old they were but had no ill effects. It’s only this afternoon that I’ve realised how old they are.

There’s no use by date on the packaging (plane white box) or prescription label. Do they have an expiry date or would I be ok holding on them to use in the future?

Have a look on the strip of tables, there should be an expiry date on that.

Medications degrade and often become ineffective over time (although some become more potent, and others become toxic). Most have 2 years from manufacture but some have longer or shorter, it really depends on the drug. If you were given them in 2018 they are very likely to be out of date. Just pop to the pharmacy and get some more over the counter.