If you Google the question “Does melatonin expire ?” you might not get a clear response to your question. This is due to the fact that the solution is somewhat involved. Melatonin does have a shelf life, although this varies depending on the type, the manufacturer, how long you’ve had it, and other factors. Only the pill form of melatonin has been investigated regarding its shelf life at this time. However, you should be able to apply the same principles to the use of other kinds of melatonin as well.
This includes melatonin liquids and vaporizers, such as the melatonin supplements from MELO Labs that have an extremely rapid onset of action. There is a high probability that the shelf life of Melo products and other fast-acting liquids and vaporizers is comparable to that of pills. Continue reading to find out whether or not melatonin loses its effectiveness over time and how the different types of melatonin affect how long they may be stored.
Does Melatonin Expire?
Melatonin is similar to other dietary supplements in that it does not “expire” in the traditional sense and does not ever become harmful to consume. It only loses some of its effectiveness over time. Therefore, taking melatonin pills from an old bottle won’t make you sick, but you should expect them to be less effective than they were in the past. The question that needs to be answered is, for how long will they continue to be effective? Let’s consider a couple distinct sources.
What The FDA Says
Melatonin, when sold in the form of a dietary supplement, is exempt from the requirement that it have a date of expiration. These dietary supplements are not subject to regulation by the FDA. Because of this, it can be difficult to determine for certain how much longer the supplement may still be effective if the packaging does not contain any relevant information. According to Shilpa Raut, a research scientist working for Amway, the shelf life of vitamins is typically somewhere around two years.
In the meanwhile, the FDA does have a requirement that all prescriptions have an expiration date, and they also strongly advise against taking any medication that has passed its expiration date. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), using an expired drug might be harmful. In addition to the fact that the effectiveness of the prescription would be reduced, they assert that expired medication may undergo changes in its chemical composition and may even foster the growth of bacteria.
What Happens If You Use Expired Melatonin?
Since melatonin has a somewhat longer shelf life, taking it even after it has passed its expiration date may not result in any negative side effects. Melatonin is considered to be a generally safe and well-tolerated supplement. On the other hand, as was discussed previously, the effects might not be as pronounced. If this is the case, it is best to switch to a supplement that has not been used for as long.
Manufacturers of dietary supplements typically include expiration dates on their products to ensure that customers take their supplements before the specified date on the label. This is merely a word of caution and a kind reminder to take the supplement within the allotted window of time.