What happens if you take expired multivitamins?

October 19, 2025 •

4 min read

While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not mandate expiration dates on all dietary supplements, many manufacturers voluntarily include them. The date indicates when the product guarantees full potency, and understanding what happens if you take expired multivitamins is crucial for ensuring you get the intended nutritional benefits.

Quick Summary

Taking expired multivitamins is generally not dangerous, as they rarely become toxic like food. The primary issue is a gradual loss of potency, meaning they may not provide the full nutritional value listed on the label. This reduced effectiveness can be problematic for those relying on supplements for specific deficiencies, such as pregnant individuals needing folic acid.

Key Points

Potency is Lost: The primary effect of expiration is a gradual loss of nutritional potency, not toxicity.
Safety Concerns are Minimal: Expired vitamins do not become poisonous or harmful unless there are visible signs of mold or contamination.
At-Risk Individuals: People with specific health needs, such as pregnant women requiring folic acid, face genuine health risks if they rely on expired and less potent supplements.
Storage Matters: The shelf life of a multivitamin is heavily influenced by its storage. Heat, humidity, and light accelerate degradation.
Check for Contamination: Always discard supplements that exhibit a strange odor, discoloration, or mold, regardless of the expiration date.
Dispose Safely: Expired vitamins should be disposed of properly, not flushed down the toilet or simply thrown in the trash where they can be accessed by children or pets.

Understanding the Expiration Date on Multivitamins

Unlike prescription medications, which can undergo complex chemical changes after expiring, multivitamins degrade in a more straightforward manner. The date on the bottle—whether labeled “expires on,” “best by,” or “use by”—is the manufacturer's guarantee of the product's full potency and effectiveness, typically for about two years from the manufacturing date if stored correctly. After this date, the vitamin content begins to degrade and becomes less effective over time due to exposure to environmental factors.

The Science Behind Potency Loss

The gradual loss of potency is caused by chemical processes like oxidation and hydrolysis, where the vitamins break down when exposed to oxygen and moisture. The rate at which this occurs depends on several key factors:

Type of Vitamin: Certain vitamins are less stable than others. Water-soluble vitamins like Vitamin C and some B vitamins (B1, B12) degrade more quickly than fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
Formulation: The form of the supplement plays a significant role. Gummies and chewable vitamins, for instance, absorb more moisture and degrade faster than harder tablets or capsules.
Storage Conditions: Exposure to light, heat, and humidity are the biggest culprits in accelerating vitamin degradation. This is why storing supplements in a cool, dry, dark place is vital.

The Impact of Reduced Potency

The main consequence of taking an expired multivitamin is that you may not receive the full nutritional dose promised on the label. For most people taking a multivitamin as a dietary safeguard, this may not have an immediate or serious health consequence. However, for certain individuals and circumstances, this could lead to health risks. For example, a pregnant person relying on an expired prenatal vitamin may not receive adequate folic acid, which is crucial for preventing neural tube defects. Similarly, someone with a diagnosed vitamin deficiency or malabsorption issues could be at risk if their expired supplements fail to deliver the necessary nutrients.

Are There Safety Risks? And What to Watch For

For the vast majority of cases, taking an expired multivitamin is not dangerous and will not make you sick. Vitamins do not become toxic or poisonous over time in the way that food can. The primary health risk is the lack of nutritional benefit, not a harmful substance forming in the product.

However, there are important visual and olfactory cues that indicate a multivitamin has truly gone bad and should not be consumed under any circumstances. Always inspect your supplements for any of the following signs before taking them:

Strange Odor: A foul or unusual smell can indicate microbial contamination or significant degradation.
Discoloration: Any noticeable change in the color of the tablets or capsules, such as fading or darkening, is a warning sign.
Changes in Texture: Softened, sticky, or congealed tablets, or the appearance of a powdery residue, can signal that moisture has compromised the product.
Mold Growth: Any visible mold is a clear sign of contamination and is dangerous to ingest.

Comparison: Fresh vs. Expired Multivitamins


Feature	Fresh (Before Expiration Date)	Expired (After Expiration Date)
Potency	Guaranteed to deliver 100% of the nutrients listed on the label.	May have a reduced concentration of vitamins, meaning you get fewer nutrients than expected.
Effectiveness	Fully effective in providing the intended nutritional support for your body.	Effectiveness is diminished, potentially failing to address specific deficiencies or nutritional needs.
Appearance	Consistent color, texture, and no unusual smell.	Could show signs of discoloration, strange odors, or changes in texture if moisture has entered.
Safety	Considered safe when stored and taken as directed.	Generally safe, but can pose risks if mold or contamination is present.
Cost-Benefit	Provides the best value for your money as it delivers the full, promised nutritional benefit.	May be a waste of money, as the product is no longer as effective as advertised.

Proper Disposal of Expired Vitamins

If you discover an expired multivitamin, it should be disposed of properly to avoid any risks, especially to children or pets. The FDA recommends a safe disposal method, which can involve mixing the vitamins with an unappealing substance like used coffee grounds or cat litter and placing the mixture in a sealed bag or container before throwing it in the household trash. Avoid flushing them down the toilet, as this can lead to water contamination. Many communities also have drug take-back programs or hazardous waste drop-off centers that will safely dispose of expired supplements.

Conclusion: The Bottom Line on Expired Multivitamins

For the average person, consuming expired multivitamins is highly unlikely to cause harm, provided there are no signs of contamination. The core issue is the loss of potency, which makes the supplement less effective and potentially a waste of money. The most significant risks are for individuals with specific health needs, such as pregnant women or those with diagnosed deficiencies, who rely on the full dose of nutrients for their health. To ensure you are receiving the intended nutritional support, the best practice is to always use vitamins before their expiration date and store them properly. When in doubt, it is always wisest to dispose of the old bottle and purchase a fresh one. This guarantees you are getting the most from your dietary supplement and protecting your health investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is highly unlikely that taking expired multivitamins will make you sick, as they do not become toxic or spoil like food. Sickness would only occur if there was external contamination, which would likely cause a noticeable change in the product's appearance or smell.

The real risk is a loss of nutritional potency. The vitamins and minerals in the supplement degrade over time, meaning you may not be receiving the full dose listed on the label, which can be problematic if you rely on the supplement for a specific health condition or deficiency.

While generally safe after the expiration date, their effectiveness begins to decline immediately. Most experts recommend against relying on them after the date has passed to ensure you are getting the full nutritional benefit, though some studies suggest potency can hold for a period after the date.

No, proper storage cannot prevent them from expiring, but it can help slow the rate of potency loss. Storing multivitamins in a cool, dry, and dark place and ensuring the cap is on tight helps protect them from environmental factors like heat, light, and moisture.

Water-soluble vitamins like Vitamin C and most B vitamins tend to degrade more quickly than fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). Additionally, gummy or chewable formulations are more susceptible to moisture and tend to expire faster than tablets or capsules.

To dispose of expired multivitamins safely, mix them with an unappealing substance like used coffee grounds or cat litter and place them in a sealed bag or container before putting them in the trash. Do not flush them down the toilet.

Yes, unlike over-the-counter supplements, expired prescription vitamins or medications can sometimes have more serious safety implications due to chemical changes. You should always follow the guidance of a healthcare professional regarding prescription medication.