storage temperature

[walkingpoz]

do you guys know if a constant room temperature of 80 to 90 degrees is a problem for my meds truvada and isentress? i don't have air conditioning in my apartment and the temperature is always above 80 degrees, even at night. or would it be better to store the meds in the refrigerator with 35 degrees? i couldn't find much information on this topic.

[walkingpoz]

doesn't anyone have an answer or was the question too trivial?

[leatherman]

the truvada package insert says:

Store at 25 °C (77 °F), excursions permitted to 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) (see USP Controlled Room Temperature).

http://www.gilead.com/pdf/truvada_pi.pdf

the isentress package insert says:

Store at 20-25°C (68-77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F). (see USP Controlled Room Temperature).

http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/i/isentress/isentress_pi.pdf

USP Controlled Room Temperature

A temperature maintained thermostatically that encompasses the usual and customary working environment of 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) that allows for brief deviations between 15°C and 30°C (59°F to 86°F) that are experienced in pharmacies, hospitals, and warehouses.

http://www.scrippslabs.com/storage-temperature-definitions/

In twenty yrs of taking HIV meds (and only living in air conditioning during the summer for just the last two summers), the only time I've even considered the long term storage temp of meds was when I had liquids or gelcaps (Kaletra, Norvir). I never had any problems over the years with my meds during the hot summer weather. I would imagine that if your capsule meds aren't sticking together, that putting them into the refrigerator, where there is more moisture (a worse problem than the heat!) and which has a temp much further out of the recommended temperature range, would not be the route to take. Storing them, in a sealed container in a drawer, closet or medicine cabinet should be fine.

by the way anytime you need to know something esoteric about your meds (like storage temps, or the exact percentage for each side effect), simply google up the name of your med and "package insert" to get a pdf of all the facts for the medication.

[newt]

Put them in a cooler, shady spot. They will be fine.

You could get a cheap room thermometer, if the temp gets too hot next to the meds wherever you keep them, a (biggish) pan of water will take the heat out the air as it evaporates. << so much rubbish, matt

Under 90 deg is okay for a month for opened bottles.

The rest, when unopened, stash somewhere else cooler (but not in the fridge, get a camping coolbox or similar and stash the unopened med bottles in there without cooler blocks).

These are tablets and it will be hard for temperature to affect them. Its more the changes in moisture that goes with low/high temperature that will be a problem and this only for opened bottles. Unopened meds are protected against local atmospheric moisture.

- matt

[randym431]

I asked about this here years ago. Thought it would be nice for some company to invent a mini refrig breadbox sized just cool enough for pills and butter. Not too cold. Temps setting between say 60 degrees F to 75 F.

I once asked my doctor as to storage temps for meds. He didn't seem concerned with temps 80 - 90.
He said just as long as the pills are not melting into clumps.
WTF???