Skip to main content
Drug Info

Does Zyrtec expire? What you need to know

Johnson & Johnson, Zyrtec’s manufacturer, determines its expiration date after performing stability testing
By | Dec. 2, 2024
A white bottle spilling out white pills: Does Zyrtec expire?

Key takeaways

  • Zyrtec (cetirizine) is an antihistamine used for the treatment of seasonal allergies, but its effectiveness could diminish beyond its expiration date.

  • Drugs like Zyrtec degrade over time, which can lead to loss of potency and the creation of toxic compounds.

  • Drug manufacturers are mandated to determine an expiration date, which assures the potency and safety of the drug when stored under defined conditions.

  • Zyrtec’s expiration date is usually listed as two to three years past its manufacturing date when stored at a temperature between 68° and 77°F.

  • After the expiration date, Zyrtec should be disposed of and not taken, using a take-back program at a local pharmacy, hospital, or police station for disposal.

In this article:

Antihistamines are a well-known go-to solution for allergy symptoms, and Zyrtec (cetirizine) is a prominent member of the drug class. Relief from runny nose, congestion, and sneezing is highly valuable when seasonal allergies strike. Keeping an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine like Zyrtec on hand in the medicine cabinet makes a lot of sense, but you may wonder how long you can keep Zyrtec until it expires, like all drugs do. You would surely hate to take a medication in a time of need only to find that it has lost its potency. Knowing more can help you better prepare.

Does Zyrtec expire?

Your Zyrtec will expire, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires the manufacturer to include the expiration date on the product. Drugs are chemical compounds that can break down over time, and the FDA wants to ensure that consumers are taking safe and effective medication. This is not assured past the expiration date with Zyrtec or other meds.

How long does Zyrtec last?

The expiration date for Zytec is usually two to three years after the manufacturing date, which is also printed on the drug label. 

Determining the expiration date or shelf life of a product is the responsibility of its manufacturer, which is Johnson & Johnson in the case of Zyrtec. The manufacturer tests the drug to determine its stability, taking other research and studies into consideration. The stability tests are performed under defined conditions with an unopened container. Temperature, humidity, sunlight, and packaging can all affect a drug’s degradation rate. As a result, if you store an open medication bottle in a hot, humid setting, like your car, the drug will probably lose its potency quicker than in a dry, room-temperature environment. In other words, how long Zyrtec lasts may depend on how you store it in addition to its expiration date. 

Zyrtec’s label specifies that it be stored between 68° F and 77° F. Keeping it in its original container is advisable as well since that is how testing is done initially.  

Is it safe to take expired Zyrtec?

We really do not know if Zyrtec is safe to take beyond its expiration date. Over time, as drugs degrade, toxic compounds can be formed from their active ingredients. These toxins could have harmful side effects. Based on that risk and potential loss of effectiveness, Zyrtec should not be taken beyond its expiration date.

The FDA recognizes that we all question whether expired allergy medicine or other drugs could still be safe and effective. Its Shelf Life Extension Program (SLEP) investigates this very question as it pertains to stockpiled medication. Of the 122 meds that the program has looked at, 88% have had their shelf life extended by 66 months when stored in ideal conditions. 

Unfortunately, the SLEP focuses on drugs related to national security and not antihistamines like Zyrtec. Your healthcare provider will likely still recommend that you get rid of expired Zyrtec.

How do you dispose of expired Zyrtec?

Expired medicine that is not at high risk for abuse and overdose, such as Zyrtec, should be disposed of through a take-back program. Pharmacies, hospitals, and police stations are typical sites at which medication can be safely and securely disposed of. 

If a take-back program is not available, you can throw expired Zyrtec in the garbage, but you should put it in a sealed plastic bag and dispose of it along with unpalatable material like coffee grounds and kitty litter. These measures are to prevent a child or animal from getting the medication and overdosing.

If you have questions about taking expired medication, talk to your healthcare provider. They can recommend whether it is safe to take and offer alternative solutions.