Experts have warned against using out-of-date medicine as research suggests Brits aren’t throwing them away.

According to a survey of 2000 people by One Poll, one in three consumers keep medicine past their expiry date because they think it could still be useful. However, it can be dangerous to assume medication is still fit for purpose past its use-by date.

Research also shows that more than four in 10 don’t check the expiration date on items bought from the pharmacy, either over the counter or on prescription. Most people assume that if its still in the packet, its safe to use.

Most drugs can be used for two to three years. While may look like a way for drug companies to get you to buy more, NHS pharmacists stress it really is important to stick to them.

Community pharmacist Sultan Dajani said that taking expired medication is akin to playing ‘Russian roulette’ with your health. He said: ‘Just as food can go off, medicines also deteriorate. Instead of healing, they can harm. For example, out of date paracetamol could affect your liver quite badly, causing nausea or vomiting.’

According to The Sun, even if expired medications don’t harm you, they can become less effective over time. This is because the active ingredients become less potent.