You might have heard that Cialis is one of the most effective medicines for Erectile Dysfunction (ED).
You can also regularly use a low dose of Cialis to treat an enlarged prostate or BPH.
The active salt in Cialis is Tadalafil. The effects of a single dose of Cialis (Tadalafil) can last up to 36 hours.
It helps men of all ages engage in sexual activity without worrying about their performance.
Many people prefer Cialis over other ED pills due to its long-lasting effects.
But does Cialis have a shelf life?
This article will discuss the shelf life of Cialis and how to store it properly.
Table of Contents
Shelf life of Cialis
Source: Getty_imagesCialis is a prescription medication for Erectile Dysfunction.
Cialis is available in the form of film-coated oral tablets. The active ingredient in Cialis is Tadalafil, a PDE-5 inhibitor.
PDE-5 inhibitors help treat ED by increasing blood flow to the penis. The increase in blood flow aids in having or sustaining erections.
Cialis can start to show effects within 15 minutes of consumption, while the effects can last up to 36 hours.
The half-life of Cialis (Tadalafil) is 17.5 hours.
The pill’s effects can vary from person to person due to differences in age, height, weight, etc.
Most Erectile Dysfunction medications have a similar shelf life. The shelf life of Cialis is usually two years from the date of manufacture.
This means that a pill (Cialis) will expire two years from its date of manufacture.
The FDA requires manufacturers to print the expiration date of medicines on their packaging.
You can generally find the expiration date on the label of the medicine. It may start with the letters ‘EXP’ or something similar.
Always check the expiration date before buying or taking a medicine.
Don’t use expired Cialis
If you find a Cialis pill that has been sitting around for a while, there are chances that it is expired.
So you should always check the expiration date before taking a medicine.
You may wonder ‘do expired Cialis pills work?’ or ‘is expired Cialis still safe?’
Do not use Cialis if it is expired.
The FDA also recommends not using expired prescription or over-the-counter medications. This may be because there are chances of the medicine being ineffective or a higher risk of side effects.
Ineffective
The ingredients of a medicine may break down or become ineffective when it expires.
This means that when you take an expired medicine, it may not work effectively or show results.
Side effects
Expired medicines may be hazardous as there is a higher risk of side effects.
The chemical compounds of the medication may break down, which may not be suitable for consumption.
For instance, bacteria may affect certain expired medicines, which can cause serious health issues after consumption.
How to Store Cialis
Source: Getty_imagesIt is essential to store prescription medicines properly.
Storing them properly will help prevent the breaking down of the chemical compounds of the medicine. This will ensure that the drug is safe and can show effective results.
Generally, you can store medicines in a cool and dry place. Avoid storing it in the bathroom or within reach of children.
Let us discuss these tips on how to store Cialis properly in detail.
Cool and dry place
You should store Cialis in a cool and dry place with no heat or moisture. Excess heat or moisture can cause the medicine to break down and become unsuitable for use.
Suitable places to store may include desk drawers, kitchen cabinets, closets, or any place away from direct sunlight and excess heat.
Out of reach of children
It is essential to store Cialis or other ED medications out of the reach of children.
Cialis is meant for use by males only and is unsuitable for children.
Keep Cialis out of sight of children or in locked cabinets where they can’t reach them.
Avoid storing Cialis in the bathroom
You should store Cialis away from moisture and heat. A bathroom has a lot of heat and humidity, which can cause the medicine to go bad.
Avoid storing Cialis in the bathroom cabinets or other damp places.
Keep original containers
Keep Cialis in its original containers and take it out as needed. Don’t try to store it in pill organizers or other containers.
Storing it in the original containers will help you maximize the shelf life of Cialis.
How to dispose of expired Cialis
You should dispose of expired Cialis or other medications rather than using them.
Cialis is not on FDA’s flush list for certain medicines. This means it does not need to be immediately flushed down the toilet and can be thrown in the trash.
The best way of disposing of expired medicines would be to take them to take back locations.
But bringing them to take back locations might not always be possible. You can follow these steps at your home to dispose of Cialis.
Mix medicines with an unappealing substance
The FDA suggests mixing expired medicines with an unappealing substance such as dirt, coffee grounds, or cat litter.
This will prevent others from using or accessing the medication. Do not crush the medicines if they are in tablet or capsule form.
Storing in a sealed container
Place the mixture of medications and coffee grounds, dirt, or cat litter in a sealed container or plastic bag.
Dispose of the container
From here on, you can dispose of the sealed container like regular trash.
Scratch out
Remember to scratch or remove your personal details from the container of prescription medicines to make them unreadable.
Final outlook
Cialis is an effective medicine for Erectile Dysfunction. Did you know that this ED pill has a limited life? Cialis has an expiration date.
The shelf life of Cialis is generally two years from the date of manufacture.
You should not use the medication once it has expired. Using expired medicines may result in side effects or not work at all.
Properly storing Cialis or any other medication is important to maximize its shelf life. Keep the medicines in a cool and dry place out of the reach of children.
If you find expired medications, you should dispose of them instead of using them.
Taking them to take back locations is a good way to dispose of medicines.
If that is not possible, mix them with dirt or cat litter and pack them in sealed containers. Then you can throw them away as normal trash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cialis lose effectiveness over time?
The effects of a single dose of Cialis can last up to 36 hours from consumption, unlike other ED pills such as Cenforce, which last only up to 4 to 6 hours.
But like other ED pills, Cialis can break down and lose effectiveness over time.
Is 3 year old Cialis still good?
Usually, the shelf life of Cialis is two years from the date of manufacture. This means that it will expire two years after the day of its manufacture.
So if you have a three-year-old Cialis, it might be expired. You should not use expired Cialis.
What is the half-life for Cialis?
The half-life of Cialis is 17.5 hours. This means that it takes 17.5 hours for half of Cialis to start to leave the bloodstream.
Does Cialis work better than Viagra?
The effects of Cialis last up to 36 hours, whereas Viagra usually last 4 to 6 hours from consumption. For this reason, many may prefer Cialis over Viagra.
But you should consult your doctor and discuss which ED pill is better for you.
Can I break Cialis in half?
Cialis comes in the form of oral tablets that you need to swallow as a whole. You should not cut or break the pill in half as it can affect its working or effectiveness.
If you are unable to swallow the tablet, consult your doctor on other ways you can take the medicine.
