Are your drugs hot?
According to a story printed August 15, 2011 in the New York Times extreme temperatures could alter your medication and make it ineffective or even dangerous.
The story written by Walecia Konrad couldnt come at a better time as summertime temperatures soar across the country hitting the upper 90s and even hotter in some states.
According to pharmaceutical manufacturers, extreme temperatures can have a major effect on both over the counter and prescription medications so no medications should be exposed to temperatures higher or lower then 68 to 77 degrees although temps between 58 to 86 is still ok.
During heat waves and cold spells, storage locations can go above or below those ranges, causing medicines to physically change, lose potency or even threaten your health, Dr. McKennon said.
What that means is you need to be more careful about how and where your medication is stored especially if you need to take medication for a chronic life threatening health condition such as diabetes or heart disease.
Here are a few tips to store your medication wisely.
If you are planning to travel make sure your medication is stored where it will only reach comfortable temperatures such as in your carry on luggage. The temperatures in the belly of an airplane are not controlled.
Do not leave your medicine in the car when you are traveling and stop somewhere. Temperatures in a closed vehicle can reach 100 degrees or higher.
Do not store medications in the bathroom medicine cabinet as humidity can damage it just as much as extremes in temperature, instead consider a hall closet or a locked box in your bedroom.
Unopened bottles of insulin should be kept in the refrigerator but open bottles should be kept at room temperature.
If you do have prescription medication that you suspect may have become too cold or too hot call your pharmacist before you dispose of it. Some medications can be replaced free of charge and if not can at least safely dispose of it for you.
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