How to keep medicine cool in the summer sunshine

Although the heatwave of July and early August appears to have subsided, there are reports of more high temperatures on their way in September. With an Indian summer likely to extend into the autumn, if you or your children require medication that need regulating at cool temperatures, it’s important to know how to keep medicine both accessible and out of the sun’s midday glare.

Whether you are pottering around in the last few days of your child’s summer holidays, or you are planning an autumn break overseas in the sunshine, we’ve got you covered with our top tips for housing medications at necessary temperatures in warm climates.

Did you know?

• Epinephrine, which is the only proven medical treatment for anaphylaxis and other severe allergic reaction, is highly temperature sensitive. This colourless liquid should be stored between 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit. Although trips are permitted with the medication between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is stored below or above these temperatures, you will run the risk of the medication lacking potency in a medical emergency.
• Asthma sufferers with albuterol inhalers can even experience their devices exploding when stored in temperatures of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. When car interiors are known to reach upwards of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s by no means impossible. Furthermore, even in moderately high temperatures, an albuterol inhaler will deliver less of the chemical than usual than those stored at room temperature.

Avoid storing medicine in bathrooms at all costs

Common sense would suggest that dark rooms without natural light such as bathrooms would make for suitable storage rooms for medication in the summer. However, experts say it is in fact one of the worst places to store it. The heat and moisture that radiates from showers, sinks and bath tubs can make it difficult for medicine to remain at its most potent best.

Flying overseas? Keep your medication in your hand luggage

If you are heading abroad for some sunshine, make sure you pack your emergency medicine within your hand luggage. Your medication can lose its potency altogether when stored in the compressed cold air of a plane’s cargo. Furthermore, the cargo area is not temperature controlled, resulting in temperatures sky-rocketing when the plane’s metal surface encounters the sun’s rays.

Try and use original packaging wherever possible

Although some people swear by bubble wrap or foil to wrap and protect their medication, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that is the case. It is far better to utilise your medicine’s original packing to guard it from the outside elements.

Note: If you have stored your medicine in foil or bubble wrap in the sunshine and it appears to have changed colour, viscosity or smell, do not consume it under any circumstances. Contact your pharmacist or doctor to discuss potential side effects.

Use our Insulated Medpacs

If you are travelling abroad and staying in warm climates, our Small Insulated Medpac and Large Insulated Medpac are highly effective at storing emergency medication at specific temperatures. Their thermal lining helps to regulate the temperature of the medicine, allowing you to remove it from a refrigerator into your insulated Medpac and use it any time throughout the day with no fuss.

Our Small Insulated Medpac features a metal clip that can be attached to belt loops, rucksacks and changing bags for immediate access in the event of emergency.

Don’t let warm temperatures stop you and your children from being suitably protected in the sunshine. Keep these top tips in mind at all times when storing prescription and over-the-counter medicines.