Medicine Best Before Date

[drathzel]

I have some Lemsip Cold and Flu Direct which is a month out of date. But i am not too well and dont fancy braving the rain to get more, are they still ok to take?

[cheeks]

Capsules or powder babes?

[David Franklin]

I have some Lemsip Cold and Flu Direct which is a month out of date. But i am not too well and dont fancy braving the rain to get more, are they still ok to take?I am not a pharmacist, but I'm pretty sure this will be fine. Assuming the packet is still sealed etc., the worst that's likely to happen is that the potency will be slightly less than it should be. I think even that's very unlikely if only a month out of date.

[drathzel]

Powder based, Still fully sealed!

[Tessalicious]

I have some Lemsip Cold and Flu Direct which is a month out of date. But i am not too well and dont fancy braving the rain to get more, are they still ok to take?It's absolutely fine - best before dates on most types of pharmaceuticals, except for creams or other topical applications, and a few other specific things, are usually there simply to cover the pharmaceutical company's back if you take it three years after the date and you get ill in a way which may or may not be related. Phenylephrine and paracetamol aren't going to go off in a hurry.

I could rant for pages about the ridiculous cost to the health service of prescription medicines that have BB dates set far too early so they always get thrown away, but don't worry, I won't. Just this once.

[stewart38]

It's absolutely fine - best before dates on most types of pharmaceuticals, except for creams or other topical applications, and a few other specific things, are usually there simply to cover the pharmaceutical company's back if you take it three years after the date and you get ill in a way which may or may not be related. Phenylephrine and paracetamol aren't going to go off in a hurry.

I could rant for pages about the ridiculous cost to the health service of prescription medicines that have BB dates set far too early so they always get thrown away, but don't worry, I won't. Just this once.


I use to throw anything away if it passed its 'best before'

I was told chops (frozen) you could safely eat 2/3 months after there best before expiry

Certain tins etc even longer

eggs a week (following a students experince id never eat unfrozen sausages a day after there best before :sick: )

Generally most of those dates are there to protect to supplier

Im not suggesting you make a habit of doing above but im still alive

[El Salsero Gringo]

The other thing about Best Before dates is that the manufacturer has no control over how the item is going to be stored, particularly with regard to temperature. So they are forced to take a fairly conservative view as to how long a product may last. For an unopened food or cosmetic with a sensibly long shelf life (2-3 years stated) a few extra months isn't likely to make a lot of difference. However, once the container is opened then bacterial or fungal contamination may set in (depending on the product), which is why recent changes to cosmetic labelling regulations now stipulate that a "once open use within" time is given. Personally I would take particular note of this with regard to products used near the eyes (eye drops, mascara etc.) which are prone to infections.

[drathzel]

Well i have taken it, so if i die, the police know where to look for you!:rofl: