Do Birth Control Pills Expire?

The Takeaway. Like all medications, birth control pills expire. Taking expired pills may result in an unplanned pregnancy, so why take the risk? You should always check the expiration date on your pills before you begin using them.

Is it safe to take expired birth control pills?

Can I Take Pills Past the Expiration Date? The short answer: Yes, but doctors strongly recommend against it. There's a chance that if your pills were properly stored, they would continue to be effective for one to five years after their expiration date.

How long can you take pills after expiration date?

While it's best only to use non-expired medications, one study conducted by the U.S. military showed that some medications could retain their potency up to one year after the expiration date has passed.