Does Zoloft Expire? | Facts to Know Before Taking Expired Sertraline

Written ByPharm. John Published:
A pack of Zoloft

In this article, the pharmacist answers the question “Does Zoloft expire?”. He also goes on to explain what it means for a drug to expire, how a drug’s expiration date is determined, how to discard an expired Zoloft, and what to do if you took an expired Zoloft. Keep reading to get the full details.

Key points

  • The expiration date of a drug signifies the period during which the manufacturer guarantees its safety, stability, and efficacy. An expired drug does not immediately lose its safety and potency. 
  • Zoloft does expire and taking it after expiration is not recommended due to a potential decrease in potency and efficacy, toxicity, and the presence of harmful by-products if it was improperly stored. 
  • Taking expired Zoloft may lead to ineffective treatment, unwanted side effects, or exposure to unsafe components.
  • Proper disposal of any remaining Zoloft pills after expiration is advised, to prevent potential harm, especially to children and pets. 

Overview of Zoloft

Zoloft is a brand name for a prescription-only drug called sertraline. It is used in the treatment of major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, social anxiety disorder etc.

It also has a couple of other off-label applications such as in the management of bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, premature ejaculation, etc.

Sertraline is in a class of antidepressants referred to as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Serotonin is a hormone and a neurotransmitter found in the body that plays a huge role in the regulation of mood.

Research has shown that having insufficient amounts of this hormone in the body is what causes depression and other mood disorders.

Zoloft works by blocking the nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin. This allows serotonin to accumulate and become available in sufficient amounts for the body to use in carrying out its functions.

In terms of side effects, sertraline is better tolerated and causes fewer side effects compared to other antidepressants like MAOIs(e.g. phenelzine) and Tricyclic antidepressants(e.g. Amitriptyline).

Does Zoloft Expire?

Yes, Zoloft does expire and when it does, it is highly recommended that you don’t take it anymore. A lot of research has been done in a bid to ascertain if an expired drug can still be used post-expiration.

While the outcome of some of these studies has been able to establish that certain drugs can still be potent and effective for some years after they’ve expired, this cannot be said for all drugs. Especially the likes of tetracycline, nitroglycerin, insulin, etc. 

The storage conditions of Zoloft before expiration may play a major role when it comes to its effectiveness after the expiration date. If the storage conditions recommended by the manufacturers were strictly adhered to, there’s a possibility that the drug may still be effective for some months after the expiration date.

However, you must know that taking an expired Zoloft would be tantamount to gambling with your health. If it works, then fine but if it doesn’t, the consequences could be dire and it’s definitely not worth taking such a risk.

Hence, it is highly recommended that you properly discard your remaining Zoloft pills once it has expired. 

What Does it Mean for a Drug to Expire?

Close-up Photo of Medicinal Drugs

The expiration date of a drug reflects the period within which the manufacturer can still guarantee the safety, stability, and efficacy of the said drug. 

So when a drug expires, it therefore means that the manufacturer can no longer guarantee the safety, stability, and efficacy of such a drug should you proceed to take it.

A drug going past its expiration date does not directly translate to the fact that it immediately becomes toxic and harmful. Although some people may hold this belief, it is not actually true, at least not for a whole range of drugs. 

The expiry date of a drug is just an assurance from the manufacturer that as long as you use the drug within that time frame, you are guaranteed its safety and potency, provided it was properly stored.

An expired drug does not immediately lose its safety and potency. In fact, from the moment a drug is produced, packaged, and stored on the shelf, its potency begins to decrease but at a very slow rate. This decrease can further be delayed by storing the drug properly in a cool and dry place.

To demonstrate this fact, a study was carried out on 14 drugs that had expired 28 to 40 years before the analysis. The result showed that 12 out of the 14 drugs retained their potency for over 336 months. While 8 out of the 14 drug samples remained potent for at least 480 months.

This study supported the result obtained from earlier research done by SLEP, where they found out that 90% of over 100 drugs, both prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, were still potent enough to be used 15 years after the labeled expiration date.

How are expiration dates determined?

The expiration dates of drugs are determined by the manufacturer through stability testing. The testing is done to ascertain the appropriate storage storage conditions for the drug. It is a multi-step process required by the FDA during drug approval applications.

The expiry date usually spans between 1 to 5 years after production. It is within this period that the manufacturer can still guarantee that the drug will be effective if taken. 

If a manufacturer’s drug bottle lists an expiration date as a month and year (e.g. 11/2023), the expiration date is the last day of the listed month, per the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).   

Does Sertraline Become Toxic After Expiration Date?

Sertraline(Zoloft) may not immediately become toxic after the expiration date,  provided it was stored properly. However, its potency and efficacy in the treatment of depression and other intended conditions may decrease.

This does not mean that you should go ahead and take it. The FDA has warned against the use of expired drugs, and there are a host of reasons for this.

What Are the Dangers Involved With Using Expired Zoloft? 

There are a couple of reasons why you should not take expired Zoloft. Some of these span from the uncertainty surrounding its effectiveness to the tendency of it being potentially toxic.

An expired Zoloft may have decreased potency and efficacy. This means that if you take it to treat your condition, you may not get the required relief. It may also put you at risk of suffering unwanted side effects.

Depending on how the drug was stored prior to expiration, it may or may not contain harmful by-products. Exposing a drug to excessive sunlight can cause the degradation of some of its ingredients. It may also trigger a chemical reaction that can result in the production of a toxic by-product.

Zoloft that was exposed to humid conditions could undergo hydrolysis(get broken down by water). It could also favor the growth of microbial agents like fungi and mold. Consuming such drugs can cause problems to your body.

What to do if you have taken expired Zoloft?

If you have taken an expired Zoloft, you don’t have to panic. Nothing may happen to you as long as the drug was properly stored and it hasn’t expired for years.

What you should do is stop taking the expired drug immediately. And to consult your doctor for a fresh prescription for new drugs. 

If you feel different or begin to notice new symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor for a checkup. 

What to Do With Your Expired Zoloft Meds?

Disposable of medicine

If you have expired Zoloft, you need to discard it properly to prevent it from ending up with kids or pets.

The first thing you should do is read the drug label in case there is a specific disposal instruction from the manufacturer. If there is an instruction, you should follow them as recommended by the drug manufacturer.

In the absence of such instructions, you can take advantage of any drug take-back program happening around you. You can also use the drop-off boxes in a pharmacy by dropping the drugs in it and the pharmacy will handle the final disposal.

If none of the above is attainable, you can simply flush them down the toilet. Appropriate disposal of expired drugs is very important as CDC has reported that 50,000 young children end up in the emergency room each year due to unwarranted access to drugs.

How to Properly Store Zoloft

pills stored in cabinet

Once you have gotten a new Zoloft medication, make sure you store them according to the recommended storage conditions. 

Ideally, all drugs should be stored in locations that are not prone to fluctuations in temperature. Usually, this is a cool and very dry place.

Exposing your Zoloft to heat may cause degradation and the potential formation of harmful by-products. Storing it in humid areas can cause the tablets to dissolve, grow molds, or get degraded by water. 

Always store your drug in a cool and dry area unless advised otherwise. 

Final Thoughts

The fact remains that Zoloft does expire just like every other drug on the market. However, its expiration does not immediately render it toxic or harmful, but its potency and efficacy may decrease. It is not recommended to take an expired Zoloft since it can put you at health risk. If your drug has expired, reach out to your prescriber for a new prescription or refill.

References

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About the Pharmacist

Pharm. John

Pharm. John Mark (BPharm) is a licensed pharmacist with over 6 years of experience spanning clinical, community, and hospital pharmacy settings.

His wealth of experience and expertise makes him your knowledgeable and go-to source for all pharmacy and medication-related questions.

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