What Happens If I Take Expired Viagra?

October 8, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), all medications, including Viagra, are only guaranteed to be safe and fully potent up to their expiration date. Taking expired Viagra can result in reduced effectiveness and a higher risk of unexpected or intensified side effects due to chemical degradation over time.

Quick Summary

Taking expired Viagra can decrease its potency, rendering it ineffective, and may potentially cause different or more pronounced side effects. Expired medication can also develop harmful contaminants, so it is safer to dispose of it and use a fresh prescription.

Key Points

Reduced Effectiveness: The primary effect of taking expired Viagra is a significant reduction in its potency, meaning it may not work effectively or at all.
Potential for Side Effects: Chemical changes in the expired medication can lead to unpredictable side effects, some of which may be more severe than usual.
Risk of Contamination: Improperly stored expired pills can grow bacteria and mold, posing a health risk upon ingestion.
Guaranteed Shelf Life: The expiration date is the manufacturer's guarantee of a drug's full potency and safety; beyond this date, no assurances can be made.
Follow FDA Advice: Health authorities strongly advise against taking any medication past its expiration date due to safety and efficacy concerns.
Proper Disposal is Crucial: Expired medication should be disposed of safely through pharmacy take-back programs or according to FDA guidelines to prevent environmental harm.

Why Viagra and Other Medications Expire

An expiration date is a legal and scientific safeguard mandated by regulatory bodies like the FDA. It signifies the last day the manufacturer guarantees a product's full potency and safety. For Viagra, whose active ingredient is sildenafil citrate, this date is typically around two years from the manufacturing date, provided it has been stored under recommended conditions. Over time, the chemical compounds within the tablet begin to break down, a process that can be accelerated by improper storage, such as exposure to heat, light, or humidity.

Expiration dates are not arbitrary. They are determined through stability testing conducted by pharmaceutical companies. While some studies have shown certain drugs might retain some potency past their expiration, there is no guarantee of how effective or safe any specific expired medication will be, and its chemical composition could change in unpredictable ways.

The Primary Risks of Consuming Expired Viagra

There are two main categories of risk associated with taking expired Viagra: a decrease in therapeutic effect and an increase in potential health problems. The most common and likely outcome is simply that the medication will not work as well as it should, or may not work at all. The degraded active ingredient, sildenafil, will lose its ability to inhibit the PDE5 enzyme effectively, which is necessary for achieving and maintaining an erection. This can lead to frustration and disappointment, especially when relying on the medication for an important moment.

Potential Adverse Side Effects

Beyond a loss of effectiveness, the chemical degradation of sildenafil and other inactive ingredients in the tablet can lead to unintended and potentially more severe side effects. While the standard side effects of Viagra are well-documented, the altered chemical profile of an expired pill can trigger different or more intense reactions in the body.

Common side effects that could potentially worsen include:

Headaches and dizziness
Vision problems, such as blurred vision or light sensitivity
Nausea and stomach pain
Indigestion or heartburn
Muscle or back pain
Flushing of the skin

In addition to the inherent side effects, older medications can become breeding grounds for bacteria and mold, particularly if they are not stored correctly. Ingesting these contaminants can cause unpleasant symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or a general feeling of being unwell, further complicating matters.

Comparison: Fresh vs. Expired Viagra

To better understand the differences, here is a comparison table outlining the key characteristics of fresh versus expired Viagra:


Feature	Fresh, In-Date Viagra	Expired Viagra
Effectiveness	Full potency; manufacturer guaranteed to work as intended.	Potency significantly reduced; may not work at all.
Safety Profile	Tested for safety and consistency; side effects are known and predictable.	Safety is not guaranteed; chemical changes may lead to unpredictable side effects.
Chemical Stability	Active and inactive ingredients are stable as per manufacturing standards.	Ingredients have chemically degraded, potentially altering their effects on the body.
Purity	Free from microbiological contaminants.	Higher risk of harboring bacteria, mold, or other pathogens.
Legal Status	Considered a safe, regulated pharmaceutical product.	Use is not recommended by regulatory bodies; should be disposed of properly.

Proper Handling and Disposal

When you discover you have expired medication, the safest and most responsible course of action is to dispose of it properly. Do not flush pills down the toilet or throw them in the regular trash, as this can contaminate water sources and harm the environment. The DEA and many pharmacies offer drug take-back programs for safe and anonymous disposal of prescription medications. Alternatively, you can follow FDA guidelines for disposing of medications at home, which typically involves mixing the pills with an unpalatable substance like coffee grounds or cat litter and sealing them in a bag before placing them in the trash.

Conclusion

In summary, while taking recently expired Viagra may not cause immediate, catastrophic harm, it is never advisable. The risks of reduced effectiveness and potentially harmful side effects are real, and the potential for bacterial contamination only adds to the danger. The best course of action is always to use medication within its designated shelf life. If your Viagra has expired, dispose of it responsibly and consult your doctor for a new, fresh prescription to ensure both your safety and the successful treatment of erectile dysfunction. For more information on medication safety, refer to the official FDA guidelines on drug expiration dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Viagra and all medications lose their potency over time due to the chemical degradation of their active ingredients. This loss of effectiveness increases the longer the medication is past its expiration date.

While the risk of serious harm from recently expired medication may be low, safety cannot be guaranteed. The FDA advises against taking any expired drugs, as their chemical composition can change and their efficacy will be diminished.

Yes, it is possible. As the chemical compounds in the pill break down, they can interact with the body in unpredictable ways, potentially increasing the frequency or intensity of standard side effects like headaches, vision changes, or nausea.

The typical shelf life for Viagra is approximately two years from its manufacturing date. However, proper storage conditions, such as keeping it in a cool, dry place away from direct light, can affect its longevity.

Side effects of expired Viagra may include those of the fresh medication, such as headaches, dizziness, and indigestion, but they may be more pronounced. Additionally, there is a risk of symptoms from bacterial or mold contamination, such as stomach upset.

The best way to dispose of expired Viagra is through a pharmacy-sponsored drug take-back program. If that is not an option, you can follow FDA home disposal guidelines, which involve mixing the medication with an undesirable substance and sealing it before placing it in the trash.

No, you should never increase the dosage of any medication, especially expired medication, without a doctor's supervision. Taking more of a weakened or chemically altered drug can lead to dangerous side effects.