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Does Cialis expire?

4 min read

Written by: 

Ashley Wong, PharmD

Reviewed by: 

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Updated:  Nov 07, 2025

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Reviewed By

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austil Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist and freelance medical writer and reviewer. His experience includes direct patient care in hospitals and community pharmacies.

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Key takeaways

  • Like all medications, Cialis does expire and shouldn’t be taken after its expiration date. 

  • Expired Cialis may be less effective and could increase the risk of side effects. 

  • To maximize the shelf life of Cialis, store the medication properly, away from heat, humidity, light, and air.  

Here's what we'll cover

Here's what we'll cover

Key takeaways

  • Like all medications, Cialis does expire and shouldn’t be taken after its expiration date. 

  • Expired Cialis may be less effective and could increase the risk of side effects. 

  • To maximize the shelf life of Cialis, store the medication properly, away from heat, humidity, light, and air.  

You’re digging around in your medicine cabinet and find an old bottle of Cialis. Since you only take Cialis (tadalafil) on an as-needed basis for erectile dysfunction (ED), you must have forgotten the bottle was back there and wonder if it’s still okay to take it. Does Cialis expire? Unfortunately, it does, and there are certain things to keep in mind about Cialis’s shelf life. 

Keep reading as we discuss how Cialis expires, factors that affect Cialis’s shelf life, what happens if you take expired Cialis, and how to store and dispose of the medication properly. 

Does Cialis expire?

Yes. Just like any other medication, Cialis, whose generic name and active ingredient is tadalafil, expires. 

Cialis is a brand-name medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ED and an enlarged prostate. It belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and works by relaxing the blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the penis. This makes it easier to get and keep an erection. In comparison to other ED medications, Cialis has longer-lasting effects, staying active in your system for up to 36 hours. 

Although Cialis lasts longer than other PDE5 inhibitors, it still has an expiration date. And according to the FDA, expired medications can be less effective or pose risks to your health. 

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Factors that affect Cialis shelf life

There aren’t enough studies to know exactly how long the shelf life of Cialis is, so it isn’t clear how long it might continue to be effective after its expiration date.

There are several factors that can influence the shelf life of Cialis, such as its exposure to heat, humidity, light, and air. This is why proper storage is essential to maximize Cialis’s shelf life. Here are common factors that affect Cialis’s shelf life:

  • Heat and humidity exposure: Cialis should be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry environment, such as a nightstand or kitchen cabinet. Avoid keeping Cialis in a bathroom or near a stove where it can be exposed to high temperatures, moisture, and humidity, as these conditions can cause medications to degrade (break down). 

  • Light exposure: Keep Cialis in its original packaging to protect it from sunlight. Heat and light can degrade or damage medications. 

  • Exposure to the air: Oxygen exposure can make Cialis break down faster. To help prevent this, it is a good idea to store Cialis in its original packaging with the cap tightly closed. 

What happens if you take expired tadalafil (Cialis)?

You found Cialis in the back of your medicine cabinet, and you’re wondering, “Is it ok to take expired tadalafil (Cialis)?” The short answer is: no, it’s not recommended to take expired Cialis. According to the FDA, expired medications may have undergone a change in their chemical composition or a decrease in strength. This can lead to the following issues: 

  • Reduced effectiveness: Once a medication is past its expiration date, it can start to break down. This can make it less potent, which means it may not work as well for ED as it should. 

  • Bacterial growth: Sometimes, expired medications are at risk of bacterial growth as they break down. This can lead to unexpected side effects, including nausea, vomiting, or other gastrointestinal issues. 

  • Increased risk of side effects: You may be more likely to experience side effects if you take expired Cialis. This could happen due to chemical changes that occur after a medication passes its expiration date. Side effects may include headache, indigestion, back pain, and muscle aches. 

How to store Cialis properly 

To maximize Cialis’s shelf life, it’s important to store the medication optimally. The best storage practices for Cialis include the following:

  • Keep Cialis in the original container it came in. 

  • Store Cialis at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. 

  • Store Cialis in a cool, dry area where it is protected from heat, humidity, and light. 

  • Keep Cialis in a secure location where it cannot be accessed by children or pets.

Keeping Cialis in a secure location may not help increase its shelf life, but it’s an important safety precaution to reduce the risk of accidental injury. 

How to dispose of expired Cialis 

If your tadalafil expiration date has passed, it’s recommended to dispose of the medication. The safest way to do so is through a drug take-back program or location. Alternatively, follow the FDA guidelines on how to dispose of Cialis in your household trash. Here are the FDA-recommended steps: 

  • Remove Cialis from its original container and mix it with used coffee grounds, dirt, or cat litter. This makes it less enticing for children and pets. 

  • Pour the mixture into a sealed container or bag. This helps prevent the mixture from spilling out. 

  • Throw away the container in your household trash. 

  • Remove all personal information on the medication’s original packaging and throw it away in your household trash. 

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Bottom line

If you’re experiencing ED and find an old bottle of Cialis in the back of your cabinet, it’s not recommended to take it if it’s past its expiration date. Here are some key points to keep in mind about Cialis’s shelf life: 

  • Like all medications, Cialis expires, and it is not recommended to take it past its expiration date.  

  • Certain factors can affect the shelf life of Cialis, including its exposure to heat, humidity, light, and air. Storing Cialis properly can maximize its shelf life.

  • It isn’t recommended to take expired Cialis. Once the medication expires, it can lose effectiveness and cause unexpected side effects. 

  • It is important to dispose of medications properly. If it’s expired, dispose of Cialis through a drug take-back program or location, or by following the FDA guidelines on how to throw it away in your household trash. 

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DISCLAIMER

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Cialis Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.

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