Can you use expired Cialis?
As we all know, every medicine has a certain period of shelf life and expiration date. After its expiry, it is not to be used as it can be harmful.
Similarly, Cialis too has an expiration date beyond which one should not use it. But do you know how long shelf life it has? If you still need to, you are on the right page.
Here, we will cover all the details of the Cialis expiry date. Expired medications won't show their effect on a body, but they can cause adverse effects.
So, please read this article to check its expiration time and more about expired medicines. Let's get started!
What is Cialis?
The active ingredient present in Cialis is Tadalafil, and it's an erectile dysfunction medication. It belongs to a class of drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors.
It is used to treat erectile dysfunction/ impotence in men. Also, it treats benign prostate hyperplasia where men have enlarged prostate.
Due to this, men face problems with urine passing. Cialis has worked well to date to provide men with enough sexual confidence, giving rock-hard erections.
It increases blood flow in a penis area by widening the blood vessels giving a harder erection required for sexual pleasure.
Take it 30 minutes before sexual activity. Its effects last in the body for around 4 to 5 hours. For a long-lasting erection than expected, consult a healthcare provider.
Cialis shelf life
Shelf life is a period after which you should not use any medication. From the manufactured date, Cialis has a shelf life of 2 years.
After two years of manufacturing, it is not considered safe and effective. As per the Food and Drug Administration, all manufacturers need to print the expiration date on all medicines on their packaging. Whether the medications are prescription drugs or treatments that are sold as over-the-counter.
On the medicine packaging, you will see a label where the manufacturing date is mentioned. So, make sure to check the date before using any medicine. Always store Cialis properly to maintain its quality and shelf life before expiry. It is for safety purposes. And, always take professional medical advice if you have any doubt regarding your medication uses and their expiry.
Can you use expired Cialis?
It is not safe to use expired Cialis. According to the FDA, one should only use medications after their expiry date. Expired Cialis causes side effects in the body, which can be harmful.
Why should we not use expired Cialis?
Expired Cialis should not be used for these three reasons:
Less effective
After the expiration date, the active ingredient, Tdalafil, breaks down. Hence, the chemical structure degrades down. This, in return, makes the medicine less effective than before. It is not effective anymore when it goes beyond its expiry date.
Risky
After expiration, medicines won't remain safe anymore. It is risky to consume expired Cialis. Medications after expiration are affected by bacterial growth, which affects patients' health. The consumption of Cialis after expiration causes Headaches, muscle pain, indigestion, diarrhoea, and more.
Adverse effects
If you take expired medicine, the effects may become adverse with time. You might experience allergic reactions, breathing difficulty, nasal congestion, chest pain, and many more.
What to do If taken expired Cialis?
If you have mistakenly consumed expired medications, seek medical advice immediately. Reach out to the nearest hospital or healthcare provider and discuss with them your condition. Also, let them know that you have used expired Cialis.
Methods to dispose of expired Cialis
If the medicine is expired, dispose of it instead of using it. Avoid flushing such expired drugs and their disposal in water bodies. Follow the below methods to dispose of it.
Mix it with an unappealing substance.
To make it invisible, mix the medicine with dirt, coffee, or other substances. This prevents other people from using it.
Store expired Cialis properly.
The mixture then should be stored in an airtight container.
Discard the container
Do not simply throw the mixture of medicine and unappealing substance. Instead, throw the entire container in which the mixture is stored. Make sure to throw it out of reach of pets and children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I flush the Cialis tablets if they have expired?
No, as per the FDA, Cialis pills should not be flushed. Never try to wash it in bathrooms. Instead, follow the above steps to dispose of it.
Q2. After the expiration date, how long can it be effective?
After expiration, it is not effective anymore. It is best to get new medicine with a prescription if it's expired instead of using the expired one.
Q3. What are the risks of taking expired medication?
It can be risky for health and cause-specific effects on the body, including breathing problems, chest pain, and more.
Q4. How are drug expiration dates determined?
Under good manufacturing practices, the expiration date of a medicine is established by stability testing. Regulatory agencies like the FDA play a significant role in establishing these expiration dates for medicines.
Final words
So, the question is, Does Cialis expire? After an overall discussion, we can say yes, it passes. It passed after two years after its manufacturing date.
After this period, no one should use this medication and discard it, as mentioned above. Know more about expired Cialis in the above article.
Expired Cialis increases the risk of side effects and leads to worsening of health. Get a new medication today if you find it passed. Always check your expiration date before buying ED Medications or any other drugs from a local or online pharmacy.
