What are refrigerated medicines

If people get sick, they should take medicine. In some cases, we may find that hospitals or pharmacies have refrigerated medicines. Because some medicines are quite special, the storage conditions have higher requirements. Therefore, some things should be paid attention to when refrigerating medicines. Of course, medicines are also divided into types, so targeted treatments should be chosen to treat diseases. So what are refrigerated medicines?

Which medicines need to be refrigerated?

People should store medicines according to the storage conditions and corresponding storage temperature on the drug instructions. General storage conditions and temperatures are divided into three categories: first, storage at room temperature, which requires 10℃ ~ 30℃; second, storage in a cool and dark place, with the temperature required to be below 20℃; third, refrigeration, which requires 2℃ ~ 8℃.

The following five kinds of commonly used household medicines need to be placed in the refrigerator: injectables, such as insulin used by diabetic patients; oral medicines and some diarrhea medicines, such as Livzon Enterol and Bifikon; topical medicines, such as eye drops for keratitis and glaucoma; suppositories, such as suppositories placed in the anus and suppositories for treating female vaginitis; biological preparations, such as medicines containing the words "biological" and "active factors", because their active ingredients are easy to deteriorate and decompose, so they must be refrigerated.

1. Injections need to be refrigerated

Insulin, which is mainly used by diabetic patients, should usually be stored in the refrigerator and should be kept away from heat, sunlight or freezing. If the patient goes out, insulin can be stored at room temperature 25°C for about 6 weeks.

2. Liniment needs to be refrigerated

Ointments usually contain volatile solvents, such as alcohol, so the bottle cap should be tightened after use and the product should be placed in the refrigerator to ensure a longer shelf life.

3. Topical medicines need to be refrigerated

External medicines such as eye drops, nasal drops, ear drops, lotions and mouthwashes are best refrigerated in the refrigerator in summer to ensure a longer shelf life.

4. Suspensions need to be refrigerated

Most antibiotic syrups are suspension dosage forms that need to be brewed. These medicines are contained in containers in powder form. When not brewed, the shelf life at room temperature is the indicated expiration date. Once water is added, its shelf life is shortened, generally not exceeding 15 days, so it should be refrigerated.

5. Suppositories need to be refrigerated

Suppositories may become softened and difficult to use due to high temperatures. In the hot summer, suppositories can be placed in the refrigerator, or put in the refrigerator before use and taken out for use after hardening.

How to store common household medicines

1. Sealed storage: Some medicines are easily weathered if left in the air for a long time and should be kept in a sealed container, such as borax, magnesium sulfate, citric acid, etc.; some medicines will be oxidized if exposed to air for a long time, such as vitamin C, cod liver oil drops, etc. Some volatile medicines such as safflower oil, iodine and other alcohol-containing preparations should also be stored in a sealed container. Medicines that need to be stored in an airtight container should be placed in glass bottles with the bottle mouths sealed tightly. They should not be stored in paper boxes, otherwise they will easily deteriorate.

2. Store away from light: Some medicines such as aminophylline, vitamin C, nitroglycerin and various injections will deteriorate under the influence of light and should be placed in brown bottles and stored in a dark place. Of course, other medicines should also be kept away from light as much as possible.

3. Moisture-proof storage: Many medicines will absorb moisture in the air and deliquesce in humid air. The medicines may melt, mold, ferment, stick together and other deliquescent phenomena. These medicines cannot be used. Therefore, they should be placed in sealed vials as much as possible and stored in a dry place. Drugs that are particularly prone to deliquesce include: aspirin, yeast tablets, vitamin B1, calcium gluconate and some sugar-coated tablets with high sugar content. Capsules are also extremely susceptible to moisture.