See the DrugPatentWatch profile for losartan
Can I take losartan after it expires (expired in 2024)?
You generally should not take prescription losartan after its expiration date has passed. Expired medicines may lose potency and, in some cases, develop impurities that can make them less reliable or less safe. Even if many tablets remain effective for a while, the only expiration date set by the manufacturer is the point up to which the drug is expected to work as intended under the labeled storage conditions.
What matters most: the bottle expiration date vs. a “recheck” date?
Use the date on the actual container label. Do not rely on a guess based on when you last got the bottle or when the pharmacy dispensed it. If you find more than one date (for example, pharmacy label vs. manufacturer expiration), the expiration date printed on the medication packaging is the one that matters for safety and potency.
What if it was stored properly (room temperature, not exposed to heat/moisture)?
Proper storage helps stability, but it does not change the fact that the drug is still past its labeled expiration. Heat, humidity (like bathrooms), and light exposure can speed degradation, so any deviation from recommended storage increases the risk that the medication is no longer at full strength.
What happens if I skip my blood pressure medicine instead?
If you stop losartan, your blood pressure may rise again. For some people, stopping suddenly can increase risk of complications from uncontrolled hypertension. If you’re short on medication, it’s usually better to contact your prescriber or pharmacy promptly for a replacement than to “stretch” old tablets.
What should I do right now in 2026?
- Check the expiration date on your losartan bottle.
- If it’s expired (including if it expired in 2024), get a new supply from your pharmacy or ask your prescriber for an updated prescription.
- If you already took some expired doses, don’t panic. You should still get replaced medication, and if you feel unwell (dizziness, fainting, severe weakness) or have very high blood pressure readings, seek medical care.
When is it urgent to get medical help?
Get urgent care or emergency help if you have symptoms of dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness/numbness on one side, trouble speaking) or if you’ve measured extremely high readings. If you share your blood pressure numbers and how many days you’ve been using expired pills (if at all), I can help you judge how quickly to get help.
Quick question so I can tailor advice
Was the losartan bottle you have stored at room temperature and kept dry, and do you have a recent blood pressure reading?