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Out of date cough meds - would you take it?

4 replies

falalalalalalalallama · 14/12/2025 01:09

I've been off work ill, including a nasty cough which is stopping me sleeping. I'm so tired. I've wanted to have a nap since this morning but been too busy doing mum stuff and other commitments. I was so ready for bed tonight.

But this bloody cough won't let me sleep.

I've got cough mix from the chemist but it doesn't touch the sides. I was moaning that they don't do Pholcodine Linctus anymore as that stuff actually worked. (They stopped giving it out over the counter as it has codeine in it - same reason it actually works!)

I just had a look in the medicine cupboard to see if we had any throat pastilles or something, and I've found an old bottle of Pholcodine Linctus!

Its expiry date is 2021, manufacture date 2019, and it's open. Normally I'd bin anything that old, but I'm so tempted to try and see if it works.

Could it really be that bad? It's basically alcohol (6.6%) and sugar with codeine and additives. Is 6.6% alcohol strong enough to kill nasties?

I so want to stop coughing!!

OP posts:
MO0N · 14/12/2025 01:14

My feeling is the worst that can happen is a slight loss of potency. BUT what do I know, hopefully an expert will arrive soon & I hope you feel better soon @falalalalalalalallama

Helloskeletonface · 14/12/2025 01:15

Take it.

anything nasty will be killed off in your stomach acid with its ph of 1

followed by a good nights sleep and then your closer to being better

ThatWildHedgehog · 14/12/2025 01:16

It'll still be effective to take

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falalalalalalalallama · 14/12/2025 01:24

Thanks all very reassuring!

I'm going to try some and if I don't report back, I'm asleep...🤞🤞🤞

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