What is the expiration on a prescription of Tussionex Pennkinetic Susp?

I have either the flu or bronchitis or similar and have a painful burning in my throat and cough and want to take some of my Tussionex prescribed on 12/27/2005. It's almost a full year later - 12/11/2006. Is it still good/safe to take? Thanks for any information you can provide.

Expiration dates are meant to be early because the companies know that people will not follow the dates strictly. Therefore, there is a built in grace period, usually six months to a year. Nevertheless, you have to consider what the medicine is because different meds do break down faster than others. The ingredients in Tussionex are pretty stable and should be OK--that is, they are still good and they are still safe.

Never take any prescriptions for anything other than what your doctor has prescribed them for.

You may have pneumonia, too, therefore, your condition requires a visit to the doctor. If it is pneumonia, you need antibiotics. An expectorant will help you cough up some of that junk that's in your lungs, but that infection can and will spread.

Talk to your doctor, and see what he or she says after you have been checked out in the office. Your medication may be past its shelf life, and I know that some meds are harmful after they reach their expiration date.

You can't be harmed by expired medication but the chemicals in them do degrade over time. The strength that you need may no longer be present. You should see a doctor and get a newer prescription or see if the old medication is still at full effect.