The summer heat seems unbearable, and for some medications it does kill them. Without staying refrigerated or at least at room temperature some medicines lose their potency because of heat damage.
“It's something that keeps me alive every day,” said Type 1 diabetic of 24 years, Megan Quickle.
The 27-year-old is talking about her insulin. She takes it throughout the day, with a medical device temporarily attached to her stomach, every day of her life. She knows the insulin she puts inside it must be kept either refrigerated or at room temperature after first use whenever it is not inside the device.
“I keep extra insulin in my purse,” said Quickle. “I have all my vials in my refrigerator.”
The device’s adhesive can sweat off, especially during the weather so she keeps extra insulin vials and syringes in her purse, but that means she has to keep her purse with her- in cool temperatures and not outside, at all times.
“With the heat you sweat, I have double tape on it right now because the heat and humidity can just make it peel off you,” said Quickle.
Local pharmacist from Economy Pharmacy, Chris Schiller said the biggest problem he sees during the summer time is people leaving their prescriptions in the car.
“Even though it's hot outside it's that much hotter in the car,” said Schiller. “It can lead to a downgrade of the medication and heat damage.”
He said blood pressure medication, like insulin can cause harm if it’s left out in the sun, because you think it’s working but its potency is gone.
“All of a sudden their blood pressure can start spiking even though they are taking their medicine and they think they are doing what they are suppose to, it's not working as well because the potency of the medication is not there, it’s been sun damaged.”
There are ways of keeping you medication that needs to be kept cool, cool, like using an ice pack or thermal container with ice inside it. Make sure only the medicine that indicates it must be refrigerated is refrigerated because not all medicine should be cold, just room temperature.
