I have several bottles of Robitussin liquid that are dated in 2008. Do I have to throw them away or are they possibly still good? Thanks! Beth
Expired Robitussin?
Question posted by bethbythree on 13 March 2010
Last updated on 17 December 2018
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4 Answers
ccronkite10
18 Dec 2018
I know I’m late to the game but I do want to provide another perspective for anyone else who might be searching this. I’m an MD/PhD student with significant training both in medicine and pharmacology/biochemistry, and I can assure you that it is *totally OK to take expired medications*. Unless you took those medications to space, in which case decomposition occurs much faster. Let me explain briefly why:
A law passed in 1979 requires all drug manufacturers to mark drugs with an expiration date that designates *full potency* is still maintained. While chemicals can undergo reactions, the rate at which they proceed in a closed environment at even room temperature is exceedingly slow, and the worst thing that can happen (with a few exceptions like nitroglycerin, insulin, possibly tetracycline, and some liquid antibiotics) is that some active chemical becomes inert. This will in no way make it harmful but rather cause the drug to lose some of its effectiveness.
The FDA knows this scientifically because of requests from the military (which has huge stockpiles of drugs that they’d otherwise have to throw out regularly) to study decomposition of pharmaceuticals and their related loss of potency. And what they found in a recent study where they looked at chemical integrity of 100 common drugs was that over 90% of them remained efficacious and safe *over 15 years after their expiration date*.
The one caveat to this is that common OTC drugs more often than not do not require a certain blood concentration to maintain effectiveness. Certain drugs (like blood thinners and cardiac medications) *do*. Robitussin, ibuprofen, and similar OTC medications fall into the former category. At worst, you will lose some small fraction of effectiveness, but it is in no way dangerous or futile to take it.
So in conclusion, original potency of a majority of OTC drugs will maintain near peak potency even a decade after expiration. Additionally, storing drugs at colder temperatures and away from light (like in the fridge) can extend their lives even longer.
dododog
2 March 2011
I have some Vicodon dated 2009 is it still good?
ccronkite10
18 Dec 2018
If you see my below comment, even in 2018, I would assure you that yes, it is, considering you haven’t kept it above 30 C in direct sunlight and in constant humidity the entire time. In fact, it would probably be good in 2020.
fall queen
14 March 2010
hibethbythree
There is a good chance that the Robitussin is still good, on the flip side why take anything (especially medications that are no good and might even make you sicker as thier chemical make-up can actually change over a period of time) I say better safe than sorry. Bring them out to the trash! Dump the fluid down the drain first. You would not want a child and/ or pet to drink it! Hope that helps
midwestma
14 March 2010
Hey fallqueen,
I am totally flipping here, I should have remembered to also advise to toss out the liquid before disposing of the bottles, good reply! Have a good day!
bethbythree
16 March 2010
Oh, wow, I guess I have been living under a rock! :-) Thanks you you all I went through the entire mess of stuff I had in a big box, and everything was outdated ! I ended up throwing out 5 bagfulls of empty bottles, etc. I expect that if I had not used them in that length of time, I don't need to buy any just to have on hand. Thanks so much for answering. Beth
fall queen
16 March 2010
hibethbythree, you make me laugh! That is funny HA HA ( not funny wierd ) I am glad you cleaned out all your old meds! All you really need on hand is a pain reliever, band-aides, some neosporin and a good ice pack. I can tell how my physical therapist told me how to make an ice pack. Add one part rubbing alcohol and three parts water put this an a good ziplock bag,close and put that one in another bag put it in your freezer for 24-48 hours. It won't freeze because of the alcohol. It will be slushy, so you can bend it. Make sure to put it in a pillow case before using so you don't burn your skin. She told me swelling can often be more dangerous than the actual injury! I always make two, that way when one gets warm you can put back in the frezer and use the other. They sell wintergreen alcohol now as well. Have great day!
bethbythree
17 March 2010
I do love the scent of wintergreen. Such great advice all 'round. Thanks so much for all the great tips. :-) Beth
Nuschler
15 Sep 2017
Regarding making your own ice bag. Once again as a family doc who must keep up on latest research..don’t EVER put isopropyl alcohol into a mixture for an ice bag. NEVER use alcohol to cool a child or pet down. The alcohol is both absorbed through the skin or inhaled. Bad for the brain and lungs! It SEEMS cooler as alcohol evaporates at a lower temp than water so if FEELS cooler. But please don’t use it.
Just buy bags of frozen cheap veggies--“family size.” I buy veggies I would never eat like black eyed peas. They make GREAT ice bags that conform to a limb or head. Then toss them back in the freezer. I always put it in a zipped gallon bag so a break won’t spill veggies. Once re-frozen don’t EAT the veggies. The freezing breaks down the structure or while thawed it can spoil.
Every ER doc I know recommends frozen bags of veggies. It REALLY works well.
midwestma
14 March 2010
Hi bethbythree,
I always say, when in doubt "TOSS IT OUT!", when it comes to medications you should never take the chance of the chemical structure having changed during the time it sat in your cupboard, or if the temperature changed it, moisture, heat and humidity can alter drugs of any kind, and once you've reached that expiration date, it's likely you'll be taking a chance of getting either very ill or at the very least you'll get no reaction at all. I personally would not take that risk. Please toss it out, this is already 2010, that's two years longer than I would ever keep any medications. Good luck, and buy some new Robitussin if you need some. Have a great day!
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Further information
- Robitussin uses and safety info
- Robitussin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Robitussin (detailed)
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