My Drug Center

What's the Shelf Life of Eliquis?

Friday 6 March 2020
Eliquis
2 minute(s) read

Table of Contents 


I. Eliquis after the expiration date

II. How to store Eliquis


Eliquis has a shelf life of three years, as stated by its manufacturer, Bristol-Myers Squibb.

To locate the specific shelf life of your supply of Eliquis 5 mg, look for the expiration date printed on its original packaging. 

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Is it safe to take Eliquis past its expiration date?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it's never okay to take expired medications.

Since prescription medications don't generally resemble other perishable items like dairy products or vegetables, you might wonder why it's important to refrain from taking expired medications.

The answer has to do with both safety and quality. As the FDA explains, a drug's expiration date represents the date until which its manufacturer can guarantee its safety and efficacy.

This means that any drug taken past its expiration date, including Eliquis, may not be as effective as it once was. Since Eliquis is designed to treat and prevent blood clots and stroke, this can carry life-threatening risks for the people who take it. [1]

Expired medications like Eliquis may also be less pure than they once were. That's because the chemical composition of prescription drugs can change over time, which can have dangerous side effects.

So, it's safe to say that Eliquis and other medications should never be taken after they've expired, and should instead be properly disposed of.

a scientist looking into a microscope

How do I properly store Eliquis?

By properly storing your Eliquis dosage, you can help ensure that it remains pure, safe and effective throughout its shelf life. You can follow these guidelines to ensure you are storing Eliquis safely:

  • Store your medicine somewhere cool and dry, like a dresser drawer or kitchen cabinet.
  • Don't store your medication in a place that can get hot, cold or wet, such as a bathroom cabinet or in/near a kitchen appliance.
  • Store medicine in its original container when possible.
  • If your medicine came with a cotton ball inside its bottle, remove the cotton ball.

Even if your medication isn't yet expired, never use it if it exhibits signs of degradation and/or contamination. These include:

  • Changes in smell, color or texture.
  • Pills that stick together.
  • Pills that are harder or softer than usual.
  • Pills that are cracked or chipped. [2]

For more information on how you should store your supply of Eliquis, MyDrugCenter offers an informative Eliquis blog with articles that go in-depth into the benefits of Eliquis. Your pharmacist may also be able to offer advice that's specifically tailored to your local environment. When you are ready to fill your prescription, head to an online Canadian pharmacy such as MyDrugCenter for low prices and fast delivery.

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.