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Just when you need it most, on the weekend or a holiday, you are plagued by a dry cough, and the codeine drops in your medicine cabinet are no longer usable. However, you should never take expired drops.
Codeine drops expired: Why you should no longer use them
The active ingredient in the medication is codeine phosphate hemihydrate, which alleviates the perception and intensity of pain and calms a dry cough. Since codeine thickens bronchial secretions, you should only use the drops for dry coughs.
- Unopened codeine drops can be used until the printed expiration date.
- Opened codeine drops can only be kept for six months after opening, but no longer than the expiration date indicated on the bottle.
- As soon as the bottle is opened, the liquid comes into contact with oxygen. This can cause the active ingredient codeine phosphate hemihydrate to be converted into codeine N-oxide. This substance is suspected of being carcinogenic. However, there are currently no long-term studies on animals or humans that can clearly prove its tumor-causing potential.
- The manufacturers guarantee that the toxic substance will not reach a level that is harmful to health for up to six months after opening. Therefore, please do not take drops that have expired or have been open for more than six months.
- If the codeine drops change their smell or color before the expiry date and before the end of the 6 months after opening, you should also stop using them.
- Please note: Codeine must not be given to children under 12 years of age as it can cause serious side effects such as respiratory depression. Parents should therefore always use alternative medications.
- Children over 12 years of age, as well as adolescents and adults, may only take codeine-containing medications after a doctor’s prescription.
Environmentally friendly disposal of expired codeine drops: your options
Improper disposal of medications has a significant impact on the environment. Old medications do not belong in household waste or sewage—especially liquid medications such as codeine drops.
- Take expired medications to the pharmacy. Many pharmacies will take back old medications free of charge and ensure they are disposed of properly.
- Alternatively, medications can be disposed of at special collection points for hazardous waste.
- Please never dispose of expired medications in the sewage system, as they end up in sewage treatment plants that cannot completely break down a large number of chemical substances. This leads to pollution of waterways and drinking water.
- By disposing of them correctly, you are actively helping to prevent environmental pollution and protect our resources.
