Among the many things to pay attention to in summer there are also the drugssometimes mild, other times life-saving, which is indispensable store properly so that they are effective and also not harmful to our body. In fact, medicines fear heat, so their functionality can be compromised both at home and in the car or on the plane, in the presence of very high temperatures.
So what to do? How to store them correctly? What mistakes to avoid? TheAIFA-Italian Medicines Agency, which in a note provides some essential advice.
Watch the temperature
First of all, besides checking the expiration date, Always read the package leafletwhich reports the correct storage temperature. Unless otherwise specified, medicines should be stored in cool, dry environments at a temperature below 25°C. If you can, put them in a cooler bag when traveling. Exposing them to temperatures above 25 °C for more than 2 days will shorten their expiration date.
The rules when travelling
However, always avoid exposing medicines to heat sources or direct sunlight. If you travel in carremember that the passenger compartment is cooler than the trunk.
In airplane better to bring life-saving drugs to the hand luggagealong with prescriptions. The limit for liquids that can be brought into the cabin is 100 mland must be placed in transparent bags, while for tablets and capsules there are no particular restrictions.
At security checks they must be shown in a closed transparent plastic bag, of size 18×20 cmcontained in single containers with a capacity not exceeding 100 ml, accompanied by an information leaflet and a medical certificate. The medical prescription must have been issued no more than 30 days ago and must include the date of issue, the patient’s data, the doctor’s data, professional qualification, professional address and signature, data of the medicinal product: common name, quantity, concentration and dosage.
Be careful that Some medicines require special storage conditions. Theinsulinfor example, must be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature between 2 and 8 °C (once opened they can be stored at room temperature, while freezing them could cause a loss of effectiveness).
Even the thyroid drugscontraceptives such as pill contraceptive and other medicines hormonal based are particularly sensitive to temperature changes. Alterations in medications such as nitroglycerin, antiepileptics, anticoagulants, insulin, antibiotics or aspirin can also be risky. A hydrocortisone cream, for example, could separate into its components due to the heat and lose its effectiveness.
Check the appearance of medicines
Another thing to pay particular attention to is theI wait. If the tablet or liquid of the medicine you are about to take looks different or has an unusual colour or smell or a different consistency, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking it: this does not mean that the medicine cannot be taken, but it is a good idea to check.
Always check compatibility with sun exposure
You should also check the package leaflet to see if the drug may cause side effects. reactions when exposed to the sunat the seaside or in the mountains for example. In fact, there are some medicines that, in case of sun exposure, can cause dermatitis or eczema.
This happens for example with some antibiotics (tetracyclines, quinolones), with sulphonamides, but also with the pill contraceptive; and then again with some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), promethazine (antihistamine), drugs used in some inflammatory bowel diseases (mesalamine).
Better in these cases avoid sunbathing between 11am and 4pm and always use maximum sun protection. Also avoid using products around the eyes that could come into contact with the ocular surface.
Keep in mind – reminds AIFA – that in some cases, for example after the use of patches or gels based on ketoprofen, it is necessary to avoid sun exposure for up to two weeks after. Therefore, avoid sun exposure, including solarium, after applying creams, gels, solutions, sprays and patches containing ketoprofen or creams containing promethazine, often used for insect bites or skin allergies. If you cannot avoid it, wash the affected area thoroughly.
Prefer solid formulations
Another recommendation, if possible choose solid drugssuch as tablets, since liquid formulations are more sensitive to high temperatures.
Bring the original packaging with you
AIFA also recommends that those going on holiday bring along the packaging of the medicine you are taking. For example, avoid putting different tablets in the same container, because they could be confused. Blisters and boxes protect medicines from light and humiditywhich pill boxes or other containers do not always guarantee.
Furthermore, if we are abroad, in case we need to buy more, we would hardly find the same exact medicine: it can therefore be very useful to show the medicine to the pharmacist so that he can check the active ingredients present, and find a complementary medicine.
Set up alerts to remind you to take your medicine
Finally, AIFA also provides an app, AIFAmedicines (available for both Android and iOS), which allows you to create a sort of “pharmaceutical cabinet” with the activation of alerts to remind you when to take them or to report if shortages are expected in the pharmacy.
Always bring your health card with you to the pharmacy to deduct your shopping (few people know this, but you can do this even when your health card has expired, with some limitations).
