Did you know that hot temperatures can affect how well some medicines work, and even seriously damage them putting you at risk? Things are already heating up in New Zealand; we’ve just had our hottest spring on record according to Earth Sciences New Zealand. So, our pharmacy team think it’s a great time to go over how to avoid heat-related issues with your medicines this summer.
It is important to be mindful of how heat affects medicines this summer. Most medicines are stable at temperatures below 25°C, however exposure to high heat, and direct sunlight can create issues that can compromise the effectiveness of your medicine.
Key rule: By always following the storage instructions on the label or consumer medicines information leaflet you can prevent most heat related issues.
If medicines are exposed to heat above a certain temperature the following problems may arise:
The risk for this heat damage occurring is much higher in summer, especially as temperatures can rise quickly, and very quickly damage your medicines.
While most medicines are stable at temperatures below 25°C, many are also at risk of deterioration with exposure to temperatures above this. There are some medicines that are very susceptible to high heat.
The storage requirements for insulin are well known to those who take it.
Summer Tips:
There are a range of medicines that must be refrigerated, these typically state “store in a refrigerator” or similar on the label.
When you need to use an EpiPen it needs to work, so making sure it’s being stored correctly is important.
Some inhalers utilise a pressurised cannister to deliver a dose of medication. These medicines must not be stored in high temperatures and direct sunlight.
Exposure to high temperatures can affect your medicines quality. Signs of heat damage may include changes in colour or consistency, crystallisation or cloudiness, and smells or odours.
If you suspect your medicine has been stored outside recommended conditions, or appears to have signs of damage you should do the following:
Do all medcines need to be stored below 25°C?
You will find that many medicines state their medicines need to be stored below 25°C, the best source of information for what temperature a medicine should is according to the manufacturer’s instructions and/or pharmacists’ direction.
Should I put my medicines in the fridge during summer?
Only if the label says so. Medsafe advises that some medicines must be refrigerated (and this will be stated), but don’t store medicines in the fridge unless told to, and don’t freeze them.
Can heat make my inhaler unsafe?
Pressurised inhalers can be affected by very high temperatures, and in some cases there is a risk they could burst. Follow the storage instructions.
Resources:
Healthify – Storing Medicines (External Link)
