The shelf life of Vyvanse depends on how you store and handle the medication. The storage conditions also impact the exact shelf life of Vyvanse, but as long as you follow storage guidelines, it won’t expire until much later than its recommended expiration date.
This article explains how to extend the shelf life of Vyvanse to help you save money and avoid a sudden shortage. You’ll learn about the right conditions for storing Vyvanse, potential risks if stored incorrectly, and how to see an expiration date on your bottle.
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How to Store Vyvanse
When you purchase a Vyvanse prescription, the pharmacist will include instructions for the best way to store it. These instructions will depend on the type of container you received for your Vyvanse pills. Whether you’re storing Vyvanse in a bottle or a blister pack, you’ll want to keep it in a cool, dark place.
Since Vyvanse is a stimulant, it’s best to store it away from heat and light. You may also want to consider storing Vyvanse in the refrigerator if you live in a hot, humid area or if you often travel. Vyvanse is sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, so these storage methods help keep it stable.
What to Know about Vyvanse Expiration Dates
You may have heard that all Vyvanse has a hard expiration date of 2 years from the date of manufacture. This isn’t true. Vyvanse expiration dates are like all other medications – they’re not necessarily an indicator of when the drug will be completely ineffective. It’s a recommendation for when the drug should no longer be sold. These dates are more about quality assurance than about effectiveness.
However, this is not for the protection of the consumer. It’s for the protection of the company making the medication and the liability they would face.
You may notice that the expiration date of your Vyvanse is much later than the date you purchased it. This doesn’t mean you have an old batch of drugs – it just means that manufacturers set an expiration date that’s longer than necessary.
This is because drugs can lose some effectiveness over time, but they don’t lose effectiveness immediately after being made.
When Vyvanse Expiration Dates Don’t Matter
You shouldn’t worry about Vyvanse expiration dates if:
- You keep your medication in a cool, dry place, like a cabinet
- You take good care of your Vyvanse and don’t open the bottle
- Your Vyvanse pills are in their original container
- You don’t store your medication near heat or light.
These environmental factors are especially important if you’re storing Vyvanse in the original bottle. If you keep the bottle closed and in a cool, dry place, you can keep the medication stable for longer than the expiration date. Likewise, if you keep your Vyvanse in its original packaging, you can expect it to last longer than the expiration date.
What to Expect After the Expiration Date of Vyvanse?
Are expired Vyvanse pills less effective? There have been concerns about the effectiveness of Vyvanse past the expiration date. Understanding what to expect after the expiration date of Vyvanse will help you avoid unnecessary anxiety.
Even if your Vyvanse does expire, you may not notice much of a difference in its effectiveness. There’s no set rule for when Vyvanse stops being effective. It all depends on how you store your medication.
The best way to tell if Vyvanse has expired is to check the condition of the pills. If the Vyvanse pills are discolored, smell different than usual, or appear to be hardened, they may have degraded. If you notice any of these signs, throw the pills away and get a new prescription. You don’t want to take an unnecessary risk.
Storing Vyvanse in a Dark Place
As long as you keep the Vyvanse in a cool, dark place, you can expect the pills to stay stable. But what does this mean? A cool place is one that’s below 77 degrees Fahrenheit, while a dark place is one that’s not exposed to light.
You don’t have to store your Vyvanse in a completely dark place, but you do want to avoid direct light. Avoid storing your medication in a warm area, like a refrigerator, as this could speed up the degradation process. If you’re not sure where to store your medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. They may also have special containers or boxes you can use to keep Vyvanse fresh longer.
Storing Vyvanse in the Refrigerator
Some people choose to refrigerate their Vyvanse because they want to make it last longer.
But is it safe to refrigerate Vyvanse? Yes, but only for a short period of time. You don’t want to store Vyvanse in the refrigerator for a long time because it could degrade.
Ideally, you’re only refrigerating Vyvanse for a few days. While refrigerating does slow the degradation process, it also slows the Vyvanse’s absorption process.
This can make the medication less effective and more expensive to use. If you refrigerate your Vyvanse and notice a difference in how it works, it’s best to take it out of the fridge and store it in a cool, dark place.
Wrapping Up
The shelf life of Vyvanse is dependent on how you store and handle the medication. The storage conditions also impact the exact shelf life of Vyvanse, but as long as you follow storage guidelines, it won’t expire until much later than its recommended expiration date.
You’ll know when it’s time to throw out Vyvanse if you notice it has been discolored, hardened, or smells different than usual. You don’t want to risk taking an ineffective dose of Vyvanse, so it’s best to toss it out when it expires.
