Drug stash question

[Ringo]

I have a prescription for propranalol that I've been keeping in my car's glove compartment. It occured to me today that it gets pretty hot in there when the car is parked in the sun for a bit - well over 100º F I'm sure.

While I've found manny websites that have information on propranalol, I have yet to find an answer to my question.

Is keeping my presription in a place that gets quite warm liable to degrade the drug?

[Dystopos]

Who makes it? They would know. I'm sure you can find an email address or phone number for questions.


OK, fine. I'll do it for you. -- and it wasn't as easy as one would think. Propranolol is manufactured under the brand name Inderal by Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, a division of American Home Products. You can reach their "Medical Affairs Department" at 800-513-7897. AHP's website wasn't very helpful in giving contact information, and this number comes from a press release about the massive recall of fenfluramine hydrochloride (the Fen in FenPhen).

You might be better off just asking the pharmacist. If my pharmacist friend logs on tonight, I'll ask her.

[Otto]

In general, extremes of temperature are going to be detrimental to any prescription drug. There should be storage instructions on the label; if not, call the pharmacy or your doctor.

[handy]

Why dont you just store it under the seat?

[Dystopos]

Alright, I've heard from the pharmacist friend. She says:

It comes in a tablet form and a capsule form, if it's capsules, they can melt, and also they are delayed release, so getting it too hot can screw with the release times. So if it gets above 100 degrees it may not work very well. Tablets won't matter as much in a hot car, but all drugs should be kept at below body temperature, as many are set to melt, dissolve a bit at higher temps.

[Ringo]

Dystopos, Thank you.

That makes sense (the bit about body temperature). I need to keep'em elsewhere.