Top 6 Medicine That Needs Refrigeration

Do you know the medicine that needs refrigeration? Well, treatments and medications that require refrigeration include vaccines, insulin, medicines that contain proteins, drugs that need to be protected from light, and biological samples. Most of these items must be kept between 2 ℃ and 8 ℃ (36-46℉). However, the ideal temperature range differs from one drug to another because some require different conditions to remain viable or effective.

1. Penicillin V Potassium (K-V pen)

Take K-V pen with food to lessen stomach upset. In addition, take on an empty stomach if possible, as antacids decrease absorption of penicillin V potassium. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea may occur after taking any antibiotic and cause you to have a false sense of not having taken enough. Take your medicine, even if you don't feel better, until all doses are gone; do not stop taking without consulting your doctor first.

2. Aspirin In Doses Larger Than 325mg (81/3 grains)

Over time, aspirin can form a crystallized substance called salicylate that is harmful to the stomach. To avoid these crystals from forming, and to ensure proper absorption, aspirin should not be consumed with food. If you take an 81/3-grain dose of aspirin, be sure to drink at least 8 ounces of water or other liquid before eating a meal.

You also need to wait at least 1 hour after taking your dose before consuming anything else (including medications). Also note that ascorbic acid (vitamin C) interferes with aspirin's absorption into your body; it's best if you wait until 1 hour after taking your dose before consuming vitamin C-rich foods like fruits and fruit juices.

3. Medicine That Needs Refrigeration Including Aminophylline

Aminophylline is an active drug that dilates blood vessels, relieves bronchospasm, and relaxes muscles of airway passages. It is used to treat acute attacks of bronchospasm in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and asthma.

If you are prescribed aminophylline, you should be aware that it needs to be stored at a temperature below 86 ℉ for potency. Any higher than that and it loses effectiveness rapidly; aminophylline has a very short shelf life at room temperature. Also keep it away from moisture because it can break down over time when exposed to dampness.

4. Nitroglycerin Sublingual Tablets

Medicine that needs refrigeration including nitroglycerin works by widening (dilating) blood vessels, lowering blood pressure, and helping heart muscle work more efficiently. Nitroglycerin can cause severe low blood pressure (hypotension), especially when you first start using it.

To keep your body from getting too much nitroglycerin, a doctor may start you on a low dose and then gradually increase your dose as needed. If you are given nitroglycerin for an angina attack: Lie down with your feet up as soon as possible after taking nitroglycerin.

5. Medicine That Needs Refrigeration: Insulin

Insulin is a vital medicine for diabetics and is often used by non-diabetics to treat hypoglycemia. Most types of insulin require refrigeration. However, one type of insulin that does not need to be kept in a refrigerator is porcine (pork) insulin. It doesn't matter if you use NPH or Lente - these two types of insulin are very shelf-stable and don't need to be kept cold. You can safely leave them out at room temperature without fear of any problems caused by temperature fluctuations.

This is especially important when traveling with your medication because you won't have to worry about it spilling over or breaking due to temperature changes. It can get hot on an airplane, so make sure your travel case has insulation built into it! The primary reason insulin needs to be kept cool is that it will become less effective when exposed to higher temperatures and may begin to break down more rapidly than usual. As such, we recommend keeping all kinds of insulin in a refrigerator at all times.

6. Leucovorin

Leucovorin, or folic acid, is a medication used to decrease side effects of methotrexate and other folic acid antagonists in cancer patients. As folic acid antagonists interfere with the body's ability to synthesize DNA, Leucovorin supplements are necessary to prevent nerve damage and low blood cell counts. Since Leucovorin must be refrigerated once opened, it's best kept on hand at all times.

It's also worth noting that taking too much folic acid may result in toxicity and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, increased heart rate and respiration-so consult your doctor before self-medicating. If you start experiencing adverse reactions from an excess of Leucovorin (folic acid), immediately contact a health care professional for further instructions.