Table of Contents
I. Is it Safe to Take Levitra past the Expiration date?
III. How to Dispose of Expired Levitra
It is essential to pay attention to the expiration dates on all of the prescriptions in your medicine cabinet. When the FDA approves drugs, they are required to submit a proposed shelf life. In the case of Levitra, also known by its generic name vardenafil hydrochloride, the Food and Drug Administration approved Levitra for a 24-month shelf life.
If you have a bottle of Levitra in your cabinet, you may want to take a peek at the label to make sure your medication is still safe to take. But why is that date so important? Read on to learn more about the shelf life of Levitra and Levitra generic. [1]
Is it Safe to Take Levitra past the Expiration date?
It may seem like a waste to throw away unused medications, especially when considering the cost of medications in the United States. This is an understandable urge, but the FDA recommends disposing of any medication that has gone past its expiration date.
The expiration date is not a mild suggestion but a safety protocol that prevents you from experiencing dangerous side effects. Expired medical products are risky to take because the chemical composition of the drug changes over time. Vardenafil hydrochloride stays in its original form for two years, but the drug may change after that amount of time and may not work as intended. [2]
Some expired medications may also grow bacteria on the tablets, leading to dangerous infections in the body. This bacteria may also be antibiotic-resistant and can lead to serious illness. Many people find it difficult to clean their medicine cabinets, but you should take the time to check the dates to make sure these drugs do not get into the wrong hands.
How to Store Levitra
After 24 months, the composition of a Levitra pill may change, but that duration is based on the proper storage of the medication. If vardenafil is not stored correctly, the drug may be compromised way before the 24 months is over. It would help if you did the following to make sure your Levitra pills remain safe and effective:
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Keep out of direct light heat
- Keep your pills out of bathrooms where humid conditions occur
- Keep pill bottle out of reach of children and animals
The medicine cabinet is usually the go-to for medication storage, but sometimes its location can harm your medications. If your bathroom has little ventilation and becomes humid after showers, you may want to relocate your prescriptions to reduce mold growth. [2]
How to Dispose of Expired Levitra
In some cases, the drug manufacturer may have specific instructions on the back of your medication bottle. If your drugs have expired or have been left unused, look at the back of the bottle to make sure you do it correctly. If you are unsure about the proper disposal method, you can ask your pharmacist to dispose of the drugs for you.
If your drugs are deemed suitable to dump in household trash, you need to do it properly. The FDA advises you to follow these directions when disposing of drugs like Levitra:
- Mix the extra or unused medications with unpalatable substances like kitty litter, used coffee grounds, or soil (do not crush the tablets when doing this)
- Place this mixture in a sealed bag
- Throw away the bag into your household trash
- Scratch out personal info on the pill bottle before throwing it away [3]
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DISCLAIMER: The information in the article is not meant to be used for treatment or diagnosis. It is designed for general awareness and for information purposes only. Always consult a medical professional for your specific healthcare needs.