Cialis is a popular medication that men use to treat erectile dysfunction. Find out if it expires and if it's safe to take after the expiration date.
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Erectile dysfunction doesn't have to be a chronic problem. With a wide variety of effective products available, men have many options when it comes to treating their ED.
Today, we'll look at Cialis to see how it helps ED, and why it's important to take this medication within the printed expiration date.
Cialis is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Cialis generally expires two years after its manufacturing date. If stored improperly, the product may expire sooner.
With any medication, it's best to not take it past the expiration date to avoid potential side effects.
We'll also go over important tips so you know how to properly store Cialis and use it for the best effect while minimizing unwanted side effects.
Cialis is a popular and well-researched medication used to treat erectile dysfunction in men.
It's one of the most recognized branded versions of ED medication. Its main active ingredient tadalafil can be purchased as a generic medication as well. You can learn more about it in this ED med review.
As of now, both name-brand Cialis and generic tadalafil require a prescription. However, there are many companies that can connect people with online doctors and pharmacies making these medicines easy to acquire.
Cialis is a PDE5 inhibitor which helps to increase blood flow throughout the body. Other PDE5 inhibitors include:
But when sexually stimulated, more blood will also flow into the penis allowing for firmer and longer-lasting erections.
Similar to other medications, Cialis generally only works when the user is desiring sex, and it should not create unwanted or chronic erections.
Where Viagra and Stendra both only last for around 4-8 hours, Cialis can last for up to 36 hours after one dose. This allows users to be more spontaneous and enjoy fewer restrictions around their sex drive.
While Cialis is generally safe for most men, there are some potential side effects including:
Some potentially severe side effects include:
In the case of an erection lasting four or more hours, one should call 911 or head to an emergency room immediately.
This event is called a priapism, which is when blood is trapped within the penis. If left untreated, it can lead to gangrene among other severe complications.
Nonetheless, it's an extremely rare side effect, which some urologists have never seen a case of in their entire career. If you're worried about potential effects of Cialis, there are non-prescription supplements available that come with fewer side effects while still improving male vitality.
Supplements like VitaFLUX Nitric Oxide Booster work to increase libido and erection quality, and they use well-studied ingredients to help safely provide benefits.
Does Cialis have an expiration date?
Yes, Cialias along with other FDA-approved ED medications all have expiration dates that are important to follow.
The most common expiration date for Cialis and generic tadalafil is roughly two years after its manufacturing date.
FDA requirements require that all official versions of Cialis and tadalafil have the expiration date printed on the packaging label. Look for “EXP” to signify the date, or find wherever DD/MM/YYYY is printed.
Always check to make sure the medication purchased is well within its expiration date. If the medication is expired, or very close to its expiration date, talk to your provider about getting a new prescription.
While following expiration dates is always important, it’s not entirely black and white as to whether the product is truly bad after a certain date. Let’s look more at what happens when a product reaches that specific date.
In general, you should not ever take expired medication. The FDA requires these dates to be clearly written for a reason, and it’s important to always follow these recommendations to ensure your health and safety.
This goes for expiration dates along with dosages, interactions, and any other recommendations.
With that being said, there’s likely not an immediate cause for alarm if you accidentally take Cialis the day after it expires.
In such a case, you likely won’t notice anything at all. It’s not as though the medication suddenly turns dangerous the day after its expiration date; however, you do increase the risk of complications or ineffectiveness by doing so.
Expiration dates are often chosen for two main reasons:
In the case of Cialis, the main active ingredient along with the pill's filler ingredients may degrade over time.
This could mean that an older or expired pill no longer works as well as before, or it could even increase the risk of side effects in some people.
When studies are done on medications, they always use products within the expiration date. There may not be studies available on the safety or efficacy of expired products, especially in the case of Cialis.
Likewise, medications can alter when stored improperly, and expiration dates are often based on how or where consumers store their medications.
Things that could break down the ingredients and cause faster deterioration include:
With the potential risks of taking expired medications, and no known benefits, it’s always best to avoid expired medications or those that were improperly stored.
As with all medications, it’s important to store Cialis properly to prevent it from spoiling before the expiration date.
A moderately cold and dry space is the best place to store Cialis. This will help to preserve the medication and keep it from degrading sooner.
Some Cialis storage possibilities include:
Heat, sunlight, and excessive humidity can rapidly degrade certain medications, making them either ineffective or potentially dangerous.
Some tips on storing Cialis include:
Cialis may be very dangerous for children and pets, and it’s always important to keep all medications away from them.
Put them in higher to reach places, and try to keep them either in your bedroom or another space where pets and children seldom visit.
If possible, a locked cabinet or drawer is the best place to store medicine.
To avoid mistakenly taking the wrong dosage or combination, always keep medications within their clearly defined containers.
If transferring to a pill dispenser, make sure to clearly mark it so you know exactly what you're ingesting.
If you have expired or improperly stored Cialis, it’s important to dispose of it properly to prevent others from accidentally or intentionally taking it.
If you live without children or pets, Cialis can be disposed of simply in the garbage. It’s often best to toss it while in the original packaging as well, and not as individual pills. However, make sure to remove any labels stating your name, medical number, or other personal information from the packaging.
Cialis is also not listed on the FDA’s Flush List which means it doesn’t have to be flushed down a toilet like some medications that are either dangerous or have a potential for abuse.
Depending on your area, some pharmacies, hospitals, or local groups may have drug take-back locations where you can safely hand over the medication. From there, they will safely and properly dispose of it.
As with most medications, Cialis does expire and it’s not advisable to take expired Cialis under any circumstances.
While accidentally taking an expired Cialis pill may not be immediately dangerous, it’s important to always practice the best habits when taking medications to prevent unwanted side effects and to ensure getting the most benefits.
Likewise, it’s always important to properly store Cialis in cool and dry spaces to prevent it from degrading.
By following this guide, you’ll be able to reduce the risks of side effects and get the most out of Cialis when treating ED.
Dr Laurence Levine is a Professor of Urology and practices at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He is focused specifically on Male Sexual Health and is past President of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA). Dr. Levine graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine where he received his MD and completed his training in Urology at the Harvard Program in Boston.
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.
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Young JM, Feldman RA, Auerbach SM, Kaufman JM, Garcia CS, Shen W, Murphy AM, Beasley CM Jr, Hague JA, Ahuja S. Tadalafil improved erectile function at twenty-four and thirty-six hours after dosing in men with erectile dysfunction: US trial. J Androl. 2005 May-Jun;26(3):310-8. doi: 10.2164/jandrol.04126. PMID: 15866997. Accessed on Mar, 7, 2023.
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"Storing your medicines - MedlinePlus." Medlineplus.gov, 2022, www.medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000534.htm. Accessed on Mar, 7, 2023.
"Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines - U.S. Food And Drug Administratoin." Fda.gov, 2021, www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines. Accessed on Mar, 7, 2023.
"Drug Disposal: FDA’s Flush List for Certain Medicines - U.S. Food And Drug Administration." Fda.gov, 2023, www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-fdas-flush-list-certain-medicines. Accessed on Mar, 7, 2023.
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