Store Medicines Properly In Hot Weather
Tablets, gels, or medicinal sprays should be protected from high temperatures and exposure to sunlight. If medicines are stored incorrectly, they can lose their effectiveness. For this reason, you should always follow the instructions on the package leaflet for the correct storage of medicinal products. The package insert often states “store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight”.
Which medicine is particularly sensitive?
Medicines with a liquid or soft consistency such as suppositories, ointments, juices, and creams, but also plasters and sprays are particularly sensitive. Suppositories can liquefy, which can affect their effectiveness. In the case of creams and ointments, components such as fat and water no longer form a unit when it is hot. Likewise, heat can have an unfavorable effect on asthma sprays, for example. The heated medication can no longer be dosed so well, or the aerosol escapes before it is used. Tablets are less sensitive but you shouldn’t store them permanently above 25 degrees either.
When is cooling important?
Some medications need to be kept in the fridge, such as insulin. Anyone who is dependent on such a substance on the go or when traveling should definitely take a cool box with them. However, it must not be too cold for insulin either, so icy frost in the cool bag should be avoided. If you are taking certain medications such as kamagra and are unsure how to store them correctly, you should ask the pharmacy or doctor’s office about the correct storage method.
What are the undesirable side effects of heat?
Not only can the drugs themselves change in the heat. The effect of the medication can also be changed. For example, a reduced feeling of thirst and the simultaneous intake of water tablets can lead to the body “drying out”. Small amounts of drinking and increased sweating may impair kidney function and possibly also the concentration of active ingredients in a medication.
It may therefore be necessary to adjust the dose of medication during prolonged heat waves. With some medications, heat can cause additional side effects. Various antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac or ibuprofen can lead to increased sensitivity to light, a higher risk of sunburn, and severe skin reactions.