Medications 1.10 Storage Requirements

Proper storage of medications (e.g., temperature ranges, light sensitivity, restricted access)

adalimumab inj. (Humira)

Should be stored in original container

Sensitivity: light

Refrigerated

aliskiren (Tekturna)

Should be stored in original container

Sensitivity: moisture (Note that original container has a desiccant)

cyclosporine capsules, oral solution (Sandimmune, Neoral)

Should be stored in original container

Sensitivity: light (Note that this medication must be used within two months of opening the original container)

dabigatran (Pradaxa)

Should be stored in original container

Sensitivity: moisture

dipyridamole and aspirin capsules (Aggrenox)

Should be stored in original container

Sensitivity: moisture

etanercept (Enbrel)

Should be stored in original container

Sensitivity: light

Refrigerated

golimumab (Simponi)

Should be stored in original container

Sensitivity: light

nitroglycerin sublingual tablets (Nitrostat)

Should be stored in original container

Sensitivity: light and moisture

oxcarbazepine oral solution (Trileptal)

Should be stored in original container

Sensitivity: light (Note that this medication must be used within several weeks of opening the original container)

ritonavir capsules, oral solution, tablets (Norvir)

Should be stored in original container

Sensitivity: light and moisture

vaccines

Should be stored in original container

Sensitivity: light (Note that these medications should be stored in a refrigerator or in a freezer in their original packaging)

zafirlukast (Accolate)

Should be stored in original container

Sensitivity: light and moisture

oral contraceptives

Should be stored in original container

Adherence Issue: These medications should be dispensed in their original packaging to alleviate confusion and to help with adherence

finasteride (Proscar)

Should be stored in original container

Safety Concern: This medication is teratogenic. Dispense it in its original container to reduce exposure of the drug to individuals that may come in contact with it

Temperature of majority of prescription medications

room temperature: (15C to 30C) or (59F to 86F)

Temperature of refrigerated medications

(2C to 8C) or (36F to 46F)

Temperature of frozen medications

(-25C to -10C) or (-13F to -14F)

Consequences of medications stored outside of recommended temperature ranges

loss of physical integrity (e.g., suppositiries melting)

a reduced shelf life

partial or complete loss of effectiveness

Consequences of medications stored outside of original packaging

physical incompatibilities

change in color, odor, taste. viscosity, or morphology

Consequences of medications stored outside of original packaging

chemical incompatibilities

precipitation, effervescence, color change, decomposition, or an explosion

Consequences of medications exposed to light or moisture

loss of potency

amoxicillin (Amoxil*)

Refrigerated

insulin glulisine (Apidra)

Refrigerated

amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin*)

Refrigerated

interferon beta-1a (Avonex)

Refrigerated

erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide (Benzamycin gel)

Refrigerated

exenatide (Byetta)

Refrigerated

cefaclor (Ceclor*)

Refrigerated

cefuroxime axetil (Ceftin*)

Refrigerated

ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

Refrigerated

estradiol and norethindrone (CombiPatch)

Refrigerated

desmopressin (DDAVP)

Refrigerated

clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide (Duac)

Refrigerated

cefadroxil (Duricef*)

Refrigerated

epoetin alfa (Epogen)

Refrigerated

formoterol (Foradil)

Refrigerated

teriparatide (Forteo)

Refrigerated

insulin lispro (Humalog)

Refrigerated

NPH insulin (Humulin N)

Refrigerated

regular insulin (Humulin R)

Refrigerated

insulin (Iletin)

Refrigerated

interferon alfacon-1 (Infergen)

Refrigerated

lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra)

Refrigerated

cephalexin (Keflex*)

Refrigerated

anakinra (Kineret)

Refrigerated

insulin glargine (Lantus)

Refrigerated

insulin detemir (Levemir)

Refrigerated

calcitonin (Miacalcin)

Refrigerated

pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)

Refrigerated

filgrastim (Neupogen)

Refrigerated

NPH insulin (Novolin N)

Refrigerated

regular insulin (Novolin R)

Refrigerated

insulin aspart (NovoLog)

Refrigerated

etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring (NuvaRing)

Refrigerated

promethazine (Phenergan suppository)

Refrigerated

epoetin alfa (Procrit)

Refrigerated

interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin (Rebetron)

Refrigerated

cefixime (Suprax)

Refrigerated

oseltamivir (Tamiflu*)

Refrigerated

penicillin V potassium (V-Cillin K*)

Refrigerated

penicillin V (Veetids*)

Refrigerated

doxycycline (Vibramycin)

Refrigerated

liraglutide (Victoza)

Refrigerated

trifluridine (Viroptic)

Refrigerated

latanoprost (Xalatan)

Refrigerated

azithromycin (Zithromax*)

Refrigerated

Vaccine: DTap 

Refrigerated

Vaccine: HepA: Havrix, VAQTA

Refrigerated

Vaccine: Hep B: Engerix-B

Refrigerated

Vaccine: Hib

Refrigerated

Vaccine: HPV 2: Cervarix

Refrigerated

Vaccine: HPV 4: Gardasil 9

Refrigerated

Vaccine: IPV: IPOL

Refrigerated

Vaccine: LAIV: FluMist

Refrigerated

Vaccine: Menactra and Menveo

Refrigerated

Vaccine: MMR

Refrigerated

Vaccine: MPSV 4

Refrigerated

Vaccine: PCV13: Prevnar 13

Refrigerated

Vaccine: Quadrivalent IIV: Fluzone

Refrigerated

Vaccine: RV1: Rotarix or RV5: RotaTeq

Refrigerated

Vaccine: Td: Tenivac and Tdap: Adacel and Boostrix

Refrigerated

Vaccine: MMRV: ProQuad

Freezer

Vaccine: VAR: VARIVAX

Freezer

Vaccine: Zostavax

Freezer