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Ask the Experts about Choosing Your Meds
Temparature for Ziagen
May 13, 2008
My partner is concerned about the temperature warning of ZIAGEN. It says medication must be kept between 67 and 76 degrees, a pretty narrow range. Yesterday, temperature in house was about 62 degrees; and in summer, even with air conditioning, it goes above 76 degrees. Is this a problem? If so, what is the solution. Thanks for all you do.
Response from Dr. DeJesus
The storage recommendations in most medications are based on how these medications were studied during their development. The temperature range is usually tighter than what it probably has to be, especially for short term storage (30 days, or less). Unless the need for refrigeration is otherwise specified in the package insert (for example ritonavir, Norvir), most medications can be storage at room temperature, as long as they are away from moisture and heat.
Room temperature is usually considered as temperatures between the range of 18C (64.4 F) to 24C (75.2 F). But for the most part, most medications can tolerate several degree fluctuations without compromising their efficacy or safety; especially if these changes are for a short period of time. The fluctuations on temperatures you described are for example probably not significant for a short period of time; but I will avoid exposing your meds to temperatures above 80 degrees for > 30 days.
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