Protecting Meds from Summer Heat
By: Gretchen Bolander
Updated: July 19, 2012
JOPLIN, MO-- "If this drug is exposed to extremely high temperatures, temperatures that the manufacturer does not expect them to be stored at. Then their efficacy, or the ability to do the job that we want them to do, may decrease." And Freeman QuickMeds Pharmacist Greg Cobble says that can mean bad news for your blood pressure, insulin levels or any symptom they're prescribed to treat. "Warfarin, drugs for seizures - those drugs would really be a concern, insulin would be another."
Cobble says he's especially concerned about drugs meant to be stored at room temperature. He says that should be between 59 and 86 degrees. Anything higher or lower and you should take steps to protect your meds. And that includes those delivered through the mail. "If you have to use mail order and some people do, I would urge you to know when that prescription is coming be waiting for it, get it out of your post office box just as soon as you can and if you can get it at your local pharmacy it'd be a really good idea right now."
