Ordering your Medications Though the Mail? HOT STUFF!!!

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By David S. Edge

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Summer heat can be a killer on the effectiveness of some drug medications. Many drugs can suffer their potency by exposure to extreme heat or cold. Most drug manufacturers’ wrappers, container boxes, or information inserts will have a disclaimer that reveals the extremes of what temperatures can possibly affect the medication.

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More and more of us use mail order for the savings it may offer, and we need to keep in mind the time of year for any prescription that can possibly be sensitive to these temperatures.

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Think of your mailbox as an oven where the temperatures can sometimes reach 150-160 degrees inside the closed metal box. This is especially true when the mailbox in question is located in the direct sunlight in the late afternoon, which is our hottest time of the day.

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Think of evaporation with inhalers, liquids, gels, and creams. While they don’t lose all their potency, they can lose up to 50% of their effectiveness and even 50% of the liquid can possibly evaporate, leaving you with a less than adequate dosage.
You can experience the same sensitivity issues when you pick up your prescriptions at the drug store and then leave them in your vehicle, closed up for a few hours. It can be worse when leaving them in the direct sunlight inside your car, where they will literally cook!

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Most mail-order companies will be quick to inform you that if they are shipping a medication that is temperature sensitive, they will use a cold pack to ship your RX in the summer to keep the drug from overexposure. But in turn, if you open the medication and keep it in your window sill or anywhere exposed to direct sunlight, it can still affect the drug.
Humidity can also be an issue when it’s the rainy season, causing deterioration of tablets or powders. Keep those sealed up tight!

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If you turn your thermostat up when leaving your home, consider leaving your prescription medications in your refrigerator. But read the printed warnings that come with your medication to be sure the cold will not harm your drug.

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It’s all about being educated about your personal medications. So stay educated