Does Viagra ever expire? Learn about how and when it does, and find out if it's safe to take after the expiration date.
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Does viagra expire? Yes. But beyond that fact, it’s important to know other details about the expiration process.
In 2020 alone, there were nearly three million prescriptions written for sildenafil (Viagra) in the United States.
While it may still have some effect after the expiration date, it might not be enough to manage ED.
There are no studies on how long Viagra can be taken after the expiration date. The FDA advises individuals to avoid taking medication past the expiration date.
Users can find a public disposal location for prescription medications in their area, or if that option is not available, throw them in the trash.
This high number correlates with the established fact that erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common sexual function issues for men.
So, if you find old Viagra in your medicine collection should you take it? Find out how long Viagra lasts, and what happens if you take expired Viagra below.
As we mentioned before in the intro, yes, Viagra does expire. Just like other prescription medications, it contains ingredients that break down with age.
Therefore, the effects of Viagra can start to wane when the medication gets too old because the active compounds will become less potent.
The active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil citrate, which may maintain its chemical potency for a limited amount of time.
According to PubChem, the shelf life of sildenafil citrate tablets is 24 months post-manufacture.
When you are initially prescribed Viagra, be sure to look for an expiration date printed on the bottle.
Even if your tablets are in a standard pharmacy container instead of a branded Viagra bottle, the expiration date should also be printed on the label.
This information is required to be included by the Food and Drug Administration on pharmaceutical products to ensure the safety and efficacy of the drug.
The expiration date is the date given by the manufacturer meant to offer a guarantee of efficacy up to that date.
However, this date does not mean that Viagra will immediately stop working when it is past the expiry date.
Likewise, this does not mean the active ingredients in Viagra will immediately become unstable.
Interestingly, some drugs have been well-established to retain some level of efficacy for as long as 15 years post-expiration.
A lot of factors can affect how long the ingredients in a medication will last, such as:
For reference, Viagra should be stored in its original container in a dry, non-humid area that is ideally between 59 °F and 86 °F.
With all this in mind, Viagra is likely to still work to some degree after it has expired, even it's 3 or 5 years old.
Yet, that efficacy may not be enough to help with ED in the same way or provide the same duration of effects.
Although, there are no documented studies to test the speculation or offer definitive actions to expect at specific time intervals beyond expiration.
What happens if you take expired Viagra? The most noteworthy difference may be in how effective the medication is for erectile dysfunction.
However, there may also be side effects to consider when taking any expired medication.
The FDA notes that taking expired medications of any type can be risky for several reasons, including:
Viagra comes along with a risk of side effects, and, these side effects could even be more likely if the medication is expired.
The bottom line is, there is no guarantee of how the active sildenafil citrate will react with the body beyond expiration. Therefore, certain Viagra side effects may be more likely, such as:
If you have taken Viagra that is beyond its expiration date and experience adverse effects, stop taking the medication immediately. Make sure to dispose of any remaining tablets properly.
All types of medications come with their own recommended methods of disposal, including Viagra.
Improperly disposing of medications can cause harm to animals, people, and the environment.
It‘s recommended for most medicines be taken to a public disposal location for prescription medications.
You can look up a center near you by searching according to your zip code or city name in a directory published by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
Avoid flushing expired Viagra, as only certain drugs are included on the FDA's "acceptable-to-flush" medication list. The FDA states that flushing medications could cause environmental concerns.
If you don't have another option, you can throw expired Viagra away with a few simple steps:
This prevents the medication from being easily accessed by animals or people after going into the trash.
As noted earlier, there are no studies that show exactly how Viagra works when it is past expiration. And, the FDA does not recommend taking any prescription medication beyond its expiration date as a matter of public safety.
If you have Viagra that has just recently hit its expiration, you may be safe to take the medicine. However, always be cognizant of how the medication works for your ED and if you experience any increased side effects.
Taking Viagra a little beyond the given expiration date may not cause issues, but doing so can always come with risks and the potential the medication will not work.
In the event you have a Viagra or sildenafil prescription that has expired, it may be safer to look at alternatives until you can get a new prescription.
For example, VitaFLUX for Men is clinically proven to enhance erectile function and may offer a safe alternative. Be sure to consult your doctor before deciding to take any new supplement.
Our team has over a decade of experience in the sexual wellness field and are experts in sexual dysfunctions, like premature ejaculation. We help couples and individuals better understand treatment options available for different types of sexual needs and educate the public on all things related to intimacy. All of our authored content is medically reviewed for accuracy and reliability.
Absorption Pharmaceuticals LLC (Promescent) has strict informational citing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic or research institutions, medical associations, and medical experts. We attempt to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references and only citing trustworthy sources. Each article is reviewed, written, and updated by Medical Professionals or authoritative Experts in a specific, related field of practice. You can find out more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
"Sildenafil - ClinCalc." Clinccal.com, 2021, www.clincalc.com/DrugStats/Drugs/Sildenafil. Accessed on Mar, 8, 2023.
"Erectile Dysfunction (ED) - Urology Care Foundation." Urologyhealth.org, 2018, www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/e/erectile-dysfunction-(ed). Accessed on Mar, 8, 2023.
Wotring VE. Chemical Potency and Degradation Products of Medications Stored Over 550 Earth Days at the International Space Station. AAPS J. 2016 Jan;18(1):210-6. doi: 10.1208/s12248-015-9834-5. Epub 2015 Nov 6. PMID: 26546565; PMCID: PMC4706284. Accessed on Mar, 8, 2023.
National Center for Biotechnology Information. "PubChem Compound Summary for CID 135398744, Sildenafil" PubChem, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sildenafil. Accessed 8 March, 2023.
"Help Patients Understand Drug Expiration Dates - Pharmacy Times." Pharmacytimes.com, 2021, www.pharmacytimes.com/view/help-patients-understand-drug-expiration-dates. Accessed on Mar, 8, 2023.
"Gikonyo D, Gikonyo A, Luvayo D, Ponoth P. Drug expiry debate: the myth and the reality. Afr Health Sci. 2019 Sep;19(3):2737-2739. doi: 10.4314/ahs.v19i3.49. PMID: 32127846; PMCID: PMC7040264. Accessed on Mar, 8, 2023.
"Viagra - FDA." Accessdata.fda.gov, 2006, www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2006/020895s20lbl.pdf. Accessed on Mar, 8, 2023.
"Don’t Be Tempted to Use Expired Medicines - U.S. Food & Drug Administration." Fda.gov, 2021, www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/dont-be-tempted-use-expired-medicines. Accessed on Mar, 8, 2023.
"Side effects of sildenafil - NHS." Nhs.uk, 2022, www.nhs.uk/medicines/sildenafil-viagra/side-effects-of-sildenafil/. Accessed on Mar, 8, 2023.
"Drug Disposal: FDA’s Flush List for Certain Medicines - U.S. Food & Drug Administration." Fda.gov, 2020, www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-fdas-flush-list-certain-medicines. Accessed on Mar, 8, 2023.
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