What Happens If You Take Expired Sildenafil?

If you find an old pack of sildenafil (Viagra) in your drawer, you might wonder, “Can I still use this?” The short answer is: it probably won’t hurt you right away, but it’s still not a good idea. Once this medicine expires, it might not work as well and could even cause problems.

Sildenafil is a medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It helps by improving blood flow where it’s needed. Like all medicines, it has an expiration date, which is there for a reason. Drug companies, along with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), test how long the medicine stays safe and works properly. The expiration date tells you how long the medicine can be trusted to do its job.

After that date, the medicine can start to break down. This means it might not work the same anymore. If it’s been kept somewhere hot, wet, or in direct sunlight, it can break down even faster. Some people might think it’s okay to take more of the medicine if it seems weak, but that can be dangerous. Taking too much sildenafil, especially if you have heart problems or take heart medicines, can lead to serious issues like very low blood pressure, fainting, or even a heart attack.

Also, when the medicine starts to break down, it can create new chemicals that weren’t there before. These might not have been tested, so they could cause unexpected side effects like headaches, upset stomach, body aches, or changes in vision. If the pills were stored in a damp place, they could even grow mold or bacteria, which can make you sick.

Think about it like expired milk. It might look okay, but it could make you sick. Now imagine that, but with medicine that affects your heart. It’s not worth the risk.

The expiration date doesn’t mean the medicine becomes poison the next day, it’s more like a warning. The longer it’s expired, the less safe and useful it becomes. That’s why doctors and health experts say you should not take any expired medicine, including sildenafil.

Different medicines break down in different ways. Some, like insulin, stop working completely or even become dangerous. Others just lose strength. Sildenafil is in the middle. It’s not instantly harmful, but it’s strong enough that using it after the expiration date can lead to real health risks.

Don’t take expired sildenafil. If you need help with ED, talk to a doctor or pharmacist. There are safe and affordable options available. Your health is too important to risk on medicine that might not work, or worse, might make you sick.