Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Out of date Lemsip - risk it or not?

21 replies

TheWeeDonkeyFella · 15/02/2023 20:14

A cold has come on over the day and getting worse so I was very happy to find a box of lemsip in the cupboard just now but the expiry date is end of January! 🙁So only 15 days past expiry and I am thinking/hoping the ingredients might just be less effective but then I'm also worried they put dates on for a reason. Normally I'd not be bothered about dates if it were say tinned soup, but with it being medicine related I'm unsure.

Am I overthinking this, is 2 weeks not really an issue? Really cant face getting dressed and going out in the cold to the shop for replacements tonight.

OP posts:
pzyck · 15/02/2023 20:16

Definitely overthinking. If it went off in 2003 then sure, but nothing bad is going to happen taking 2 week out of date Lemsip.

LBOCS2 · 15/02/2023 20:16

You are massively overthinking it.

Take it :) hope you feel better soon.

QueenOfHiraeth · 15/02/2023 20:17

I'm sure it will be fine. Usually medication that is out of date or badly stored loses potency rather than becoming toxic or anything but I don't think this has had time.
Go for it!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
WinterStar1 · 15/02/2023 20:19

I would just take it, hope you feel better soon 🌻

Ilovealido · 15/02/2023 20:22

I’m taking some from 2020 now! the stuff in lemsip doesn’t really go off.

Lkydfju · 15/02/2023 20:24

I would take it; if it was a year ago then no but two weeks is nothing

Tessisme · 15/02/2023 20:30

The only thing that happens to out of date cold remedies is that they gradually, over a long period of time, lose their potency. It won't make you sick and, such a short time after expiry, is likely to be working at full strength.

Tessisme · 15/02/2023 20:30

Just noticed this has already been said😅

Lcb123 · 15/02/2023 20:31

God of course-so full of chemicals I expect it will last 10 more years. Maybe just less effective

Hadalifeonce · 15/02/2023 20:32

I've used Lemsip about 2 years out of date, it may have been less effective, but didn't make me I'll.

Barleysugar86 · 15/02/2023 20:32

When you buy them they have years on the date... a few weeks will make no difference

TheInterceptor · 15/02/2023 20:45

It's only paracetamol and lemon powder, isn't it? Add some honey and get well soon Flowers

Pinkfrogs45 · 15/02/2023 20:49

This thread scares me! Yes a few weeks is absolutely fine I wouldn’t worry

A few years out of date? The stability is completed for a reason and normally degradation products can be seen on stability. If the manufacturer could extend this past 3 years they 100% would as it’s better business. However they don’t as they it would meet the specification need. Please don’t take medication that’s years out of date.

pzyck · 15/02/2023 21:06

Pinkfrogs45 · 15/02/2023 20:49

This thread scares me! Yes a few weeks is absolutely fine I wouldn’t worry

A few years out of date? The stability is completed for a reason and normally degradation products can be seen on stability. If the manufacturer could extend this past 3 years they 100% would as it’s better business. However they don’t as they it would meet the specification need. Please don’t take medication that’s years out of date.

No one has actually recommended taking medication years out of date.

Original poster
TheWeeDonkeyFella · 15/02/2023 21:14

Thanks all.

I've had one, tasted no different and still here to tell the tale. I think my fuzzy head is making me overthink much more than usual!

OP posts:
sanityisamyth · 15/02/2023 21:15

15 days? It's fine!

15 months or years, less fine!

AccidentallyRunToWindsor · 15/02/2023 21:20

The lemsip doesn't know what day it is. Will be fine

Noonesperfect · 15/02/2023 21:24

I recently took year out of date flu sachets. The only ones I didn't use were a couple that had absorbed moisture and were no longer powder. If it's still powder in the sachet it'll be fine.

Pinkfrogs45 · 15/02/2023 22:16

@pzyck ???!!

“Usually medication that is out of date or badly stored loses potency rather than becoming toxic” - incorrect

“God of course-so full of chemicals I expect it will last 10 more years” - incorrect

“I've used Lemsip about 2 years out of date, it may have been less effective, but didn't make me I'll”

“I recently took year out of date flu sachets. The only ones I didn't use were a couple that had absorbed moisture and were no longer powder. If it's still powder in the sachet it'll be fine.”

XenoBitch · 15/02/2023 22:20

I took diazepam that was a few years out of date... and it was never mine anyway. Was prescribed for my cat!

I did have some Slimfast shake powder than was about 6 months out of date. It was vile!

You will be fine. I hope you feel better soon.

Blanketpolicy · 15/02/2023 22:21

I would definitely use it, but I am maybe not the best person to ask as I found, at the back of the cupboard, and used a jar of lazy chilli tonight that was dated Jan 2021 🤣

Its in the fridge now and says to use within 6 weeks of opening so I reckon it should be OK until Christmas mid summer.

Hope you feel better soon.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread