At what temperature do you guys keep your meds?

[metekrop]

The last three days the temperature in my area was high. Nearly 95 F.  This is the first summer since I start treatment and I left my meds home with out air conditioning my home.  As a result, I think the fish oil I am taking for my cholesterol seems spoiled.  It smells not normal.  But I don't know about the Atripla I kept with the fish oil in the same shelf.  So, do you think that the Atripla may alos spoiled?  Would it be okay to keep it in such a high temperature.  Need some advice. 

[RapidRod]

15-30?C or 59-86?F

[mecch]

Seems too hot for most medicine which is designed for room temperature.
Do you have a refrigerator?  A cooler spot somewhere? 
Why don't you ask a pharmacist some specific questions.
Maybe some drugs can stand 100F for a day or two, but not for a long term period.

[Ann]

Sounds like you should throw those fish oil caps out - but the Atripla should be fine. Any oil-filled, gel-cap type of meds or supplements should be kept in the fridge or other cool spot when the temperature is hot. They tend to start to degrade in the heat and go all soft and squidgy and spoiled.

[Miss Philicia]

Ann is right, it's the gel caps that generally are heat sensitive, but at any rate there are package inserts that stipulate such things, or even labeling on supplements.  I would definitely store things in the fridge if I were to allow sharp increases in room temperature when turning the A/C off every day.  Better safe than sorry.

[metekrop]

I didn't see anything written about the temperature into which the med can be kept.  I tried to look into the package inserts but nothing is mentioned about.  It is normal to put such instruction in the label. Anyways thank you all for your feedback.

[Ann]

It's normal to put storage temperature on med info inserts when it's relevant. If there's no temperature information, it probably doesn't really matter what temperature it's stored at. Most over the counter supplements don't usually have storage info on the label, but with gel-caps it's kinda just common sense to keep them cool.

[metekrop]

It's normal to put storage temperature on med info inserts when it's relevant. If there's no temperature information, it probably doesn't really matter what temperature it's stored at.

That is my expectation too.

[Miss Philicia]

My supplements actually have temperature storage instructions.  Definitely my prescriptions do.

[metekrop]

15-30?C or 59-86?F

Where did you get this info from???


Well,  better I ask my doctor or pharmacist.

[leatherman]

Well,  better I ask my doctor or pharmacist.

well, if you were going to ask here and not believe anyone, then perhaps you could have just googled up soemthing like "atripla storage temperature" or "fish oil capsule storage temperature"

re: atripla
Proper storage of Atripla :
Store Atripla at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Store only in original container and keep it tightly closed. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not use Atripla if is past the expiration date on the bottle. Keep Atripla out of the reach of children and away from pets.

re: fish oil
Light, especially bluish fluorescent light, is very damaging to Omega-3 oils such as Flax and fish oils as it initiates photon oxidation. Light is reported to be more damaging than heat. Why is Flaxseed Oil kept in the refrigerator? Omega-3 oils such as Flax and Fish oil maintain their freshness longer when kept at a low temperature. If storage over a long period is necessary it is safe to store in the freezer.

How long does it keep?
Unopened and refrigerated, Flaxseed/Fish Oil has a 12 month dating. After opening, keep refrigerated and use within 8 - 10 weeks.

I tried to look into the package inserts but nothing is mentioned about.

or you could have even googled up "atripla package insert"
where the information you are looking for is listed in the table of contents as being on page 44 of the word doc in section 16:
Store at 25c (77 F); excursions permitted to 15-30c (59-86 F)[See USP Controlled Room Temperature]

always remember: Google is your friend

[metekrop]

re: atripla
Proper storage of Atripla :
Store Atripla at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Store only in original container and keep it tightly closed. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not use Atripla if is past the expiration date on the bottle. Keep Atripla out of the reach of children and away from pets.

This answers my question.  Thank you.  Thank you.

[zielwolf]

I'm not sure if it's that crucial to keep it at 25 degrees 100% of the time. I live in a pretty extreme climate where the temperature during the year can range from 0C/32F to 45C/113F in these days of climate change and central heating/cooling is still very uncommon. So correct storage is important. Doctors here say that basically, room temperature is ok - if it's much over 30C/85F inside, do try to keep your pills dark and cool, and in winter keep them in the room where you have the heater running. One thing they did say: never ever put your medicine in the fridge to keep it cool.