Erectile dysfunction can easily be remedied with the use of medication, but what about the potential dysfunction of the medicine itself? If you’ve been carrying around a little blue pill for a while, you’re right to wonder if it’ll still work.
Does Viagra expire? It’s a perfectly reasonable question and one you want to answer before you find out the hard way. Did you know that erectile dysfunction issues are predicted to increase to 322 million men by 2025? If you’re having trouble yourself, you’re not alone!
If you’re curious to learn more about the efficacy of old ED medications, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find out more!
Table of contents
When Does Viagra Expire?
The last thing you want is to reach for your little helper, wait for the effect and realize it was a dud. That would spell a disaster for your night and potentially the night of someone else, too. Instead of taking the risk, it’s best to consult the package or do your best to remember when you bought it.
Chemical compounds often degrade over time and lose potency. This is a natural process that affects everything around us, even pills sealed in airtight packaging. Viagra pill storage, no matter the method, is no barrier to chemical decomposition.
However, the news for Viagra and its shelf life is quite good. Typically Viagra’s shelf life is safe for consumption for up to two years after purchase, meaning there’s probably a decent chance you’re in the clear. If you’re not sure how old your Viagra is and want to take it anyway, there are some things you should know.
Read more: All Forms of Erectile Dysfunction Cialis Can Treat: Is Cialis a Solution for All?
Expired Viagra and Potential Side Effects
If you find the old receipt and see your Viagra is way older than two years, you might be tempted to take it anyway. After all, what’s the worst that could happen? Well, this is your body that’s on the line here, so it’s best to err on the side of caution.
Sildenafil citrate, the active ingredient in Viagra, doesn’t stay chemically potent forever. As time passes, the chemicals within the pill break down and change. The changed chemicals were never designed for consumption and can cause a range of adverse effects.
These adverse effects aren’t pretty and are best avoided. They include a variety of symptoms, such as vision problems, nausea, stomach pains, and feeling strangely itchy. If these weren’t enough to dissuade you, there’s also a possibility of seizures and heart attack.
So, does expired Viagra work? In short, not as well as you’d hope and the side effects aren’t worth the gamble!
Read more: How Propecia Works: The Complete Guide for New Users
Better Safe Than Sorry
The Viagra expiration date is there to keep you safe. It’s one thing to add a splash of suspect milk to your coffee and quite another to gamble with degrading chemicals. In a moment of passion, it’s understandable to want to risk it, but the potential severity of the side effects simply isn’t worth it.
Rather than spinning that particular roulette wheel, throw the pill away. Out of sight, out of mind, as they say! This will remove the temptation altogether and also stop you from confusing old Viagra pills with new ones.
If you decide to throw the pills out, though, don’t flush them down the toilet. Water treatment facilities aren’t designed to deal with foreign chemicals, and there’s no telling what trouble their addition could cause. Take them out of their packaging and throw them in the trash along with everything else, ensuring nobody else can get their hands on them.
What To Do if You’ve Taken Expired ED Medication
If you decided to take expired Viagra and are experiencing some ill effects, it’s time to get help. You might feel embarrassed to go to the emergency room, but a little embarrassment is better than some of the more serious side effects mentioned. It’s worth remembering that the good people who work in hospitals have seen it all a hundred times before.
Viagra is a common solution to a common problem and nothing to be ashamed about. Everyone makes mistakes, especially when it comes to feeling frisky. Your health is the most important factor and takes precedence above all else.
Calmly explain your situation, and you’ll get the help you need. Purchase some fresh Viagra, and you’ll be back on the horse in no time!
Natural Alternatives
If you’d rather not depend on chemicals to spur you on, there are some steps you can take to improve the quality of your erections naturally. These include herbal supplements such as red ginseng, which contains ginsenoside. This chemical is widely reported to be an effective aid in this regard but consult your doctor beforehand to be safe.
Maintaining a healthy weight is also an effective route towards strengthening erection. Obesity is a common cause of ED and a laundry list of other ailments. Keeping in trim won’t only help to keep your pecker up, but it’ll also greatly improve your quality of life in general!
Quitting smoking is a similar story. Nicotine is well-documented as a vasoconstrictor, and that’s the last thing you need when aiming for a full mast. In general terms, the better you look after your body as a whole, the stronger your erections will be.
Expired Viagra, Not Worth the Risk
It might be tempting to throw that pill in your mouth and get busy, but negative reactions are a real possibility. Don’t take your health for granted. Treat your body with the respect it deserves. Take the night off and get yourself some new worry-free Viagra instead.
If this article has answered the question of ‘Does Viagra expire?’, why not contact us? If you have any other questions or concerns, we’d love to hear from you!
References
- How does Viagra work? Science Focus, https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/how-does-viagra-work/
- Erectile dysfunction statistics 2023, singlecare.com, https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/erectile-dysfunction-statistics/
- Why you shouldn’t flush your meds (and what to do instead), neorsd.org, https://www.neorsd.org/community/educational-resources/tips-why-you-shouldnt-flush-your-meds-and-what-to-do-instead/
