Does zoloft (sertraline) expire? if so how long does it take to be harmful? or does it just degrade?

Usually 1 year: Medications usually are good for one year. Check with the pharmacist if unsure of date of the zoloft (sertraline) you received.

Long shelf life: Hi. If sertraline is kept in a cool & dry environment, it's stable darn near forever. It doesn't become harmful OR degrade.

All medicines expire: Just like food... a few days after the "eat by" date is probably fine but the longer things go the less benefit and more harm that is likely. Assuming you need the drug... I would recommend that you take fresh and unexpired zoloft (sertraline). If has a generic form and it should be relatively inexpensive to replace.

Less effective: Yes it expires, which means it is past its point of maximal potency. Please check for the expiration date on the sample package or the date of your prescription. For most medications, including Zoloft, (sertraline) the expiration date is the point at which either the medication has degraded 10% from the date of manufacturing or toxic chemicals have built up (Exp. Tetracycline -> kidney damage Fanconi's synd)