storing and reusing cough syrup after opening the lid is a popular habit in many families, especially when there is still a lot in the bottle of medicine and it is not yet expired. However, health experts warn that this is a habit that poses a potential risk to health.
Pediatrician Saurabh Kapoor, a member of the Indian Pediatric Association, recommends: After opening, do not keep the cough syrup for more than a month. Even before the expiration date, the effectiveness of the drug will still decline significantly and can be harmful if continued use, and this advice applies to both children and adults.
Sharing the same view, Dr. Paritosh Baghel, consultant in internal medicine at SL Raheja Hospital (India) said that many people tend to retain syrup after treatment to continue if symptoms return. However, he warned that reusing open syrups may come with many risks.
One of the biggest risks is infection. When syrup is exposed to air, bacteria or fungi can grow in sugary environments. The active ingredients in the syrup can be broken down, making the drug less effective. Even byproducts generated from the decomposition process can be harmful.
Not only does it reduce the effectiveness of treatment, using broken syrup can also cause digestive disorders or lead to new infections. User can take more than the normal dose because they find the drug ineffective, which can easily lead to overdose or side effects, adds Dr. Baghel.
Signs of a broken syrup include changes in color, flavor, mold or abnormal debris appearing inside the medicine bottle. In such cases, it should be eliminated immediately to avoid affecting health.
Experts also especially emphasize the importance of not reusing drugs arbitrarily, even if it is an over-the-counter drug such as cough syrup. All medications, especially prescription drugs, need to be used according to the doctor's instructions to avoid the risk of drug interaction or misuse.
