What Is the Shelf Life of Cialis?
Why you should trust us. Our expert reviewers devote hours to testing and comparing products so that you can make informed decisions about the best options for you. Find out more about our editorial process.
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Read the full disclosure here.
While those who take erectile dysfunction medication like Cialis regularly can attest to how effective it is in boosting sexual performance and combating impotence, what is not clear is the medication’s exact date of expiration.
Like most erectile dysfunction options, Cialis’ shelf life or expiration is not a singular date printed on the side of the box but rather a “years on date” from the time of manufacturing. For consumers, the manufacturing date is unclear, which causes a lot of men to ask about the safety of the product and whether it can be bought in bulk.
What Is Cialis’ Shelf Life & What Does It Mean for Men?
Whether you choose to purchase your Cialis or Tadalafil online through a reputable retailer such as BlueChew or obtain it from your local pharmacy, you will find that on the side of the box, there will be a printed date of expiration.
This will appear as a month-year combination and should read between 1-3 years from the date of purchase. This is because Cialis’ shelf life is approximately 1-3 years or 12-36 months when stored and used as directed.
This should not be confused with the “half-life” of the product, which refers to how long the medication will last without losing its maximum potency. In healthy men, the half-life of Cialis is 17.5 hours, whereas, in older men, it is 21.6 hours (1). Cialis provides an active duration window of up to 36 hours (2).
Based on Cialis’ Shelf Life, Can It Be Bought in Bulk?
With a shelf life between 1-3 years of the date of purchase, this means that men can buy Cialis in bulk if done strategically.
It is recommended that if you plan on taking Cialis regularly, you purchase enough to last you for a month or two and record how many you actually consume in this time frame. This will allow you to plan out how many pills you will need for an entire year and give you time to purchase more without going beyond the expiration date.
Why Does Cialis’ Shelf Life Change When Bought from Different Providers?
When you purchase Cialis from one manufacturer and then again from a different one within a short time, you may notice that the shelf life or expiration date is widely different on the packaging. This is because the shelf life is determined by several variables, including the manufacturer, pharmacy, and storage parameters.
For instance, manufacturers may have different processes when creating the medication, which can result in different expiration dates. Pharmacies, on the other hand, may handle the medicines differently based on franchise policies. Beyond this, if Cialis is not stored in a cool, dry place, this can also speed up decay and shorten the expiration time (3).
If Your Cialis Is Expired – Do Not Take It
If your Cialis medication is beyond its expiration date, it is recommended that you purchase a new bottle of it, as there is no way to tell whether it is expired by just looking at it.
If your Cialis’ shelf life indicates that the medication is expired, taking it may lead to unpleasant side effects, like temporary visual impairment, headaches, flushing (redness in the face), dizziness, nausea, indigestion, and pulmonary hypertension (4, 5).
