How to store medication in humid environments

[mikereed100]

Not sure what all the fuss is about. I have kept medications, both tablets and capsules, in their original bottles in a cabinet on the boat for years with no problems.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by flightlead404

I have a small Pelican-style plastic case with a gasket. I keep a few desiccant packets in there with the meds.

Excellent. We have a large for the bulk meds. Use a small one for your pill minder. You can find the small cases at camping and hardware stores. A knock off is carried by Harbor Freight.

[rcparne]

I was having this issue cruising in So Pacific. What worked for me was keeping the dessicant in the pill containers as well as in a ziplock bag kept in the refrigerator. I would use a 7 day medication box for daily access, and kept that in the fridge as well.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by rcparne

I was having this issue cruising in So Pacific. What worked for me was keeping the dessicant in the pill containers as well as in a ziplock bag kept in the refrigerator. I would use a 7 day medication box for daily access, and kept that in the fridge as well.

How about this idea? Is it better to store your meds in higher temperatures than you should or in lower temperature than you should?

Neither is recommended

[Peeew]

Plastic Ammo cans are cheap and seal well with gaskets.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Chotu

How about this idea? Is it better to store your meds in higher temperatures than you should or in lower temperature than you should?
Neither is recommended

IMO: Cooler [but NOT freezing]; rather than warmer.

Most medicines can be stored at room temperature, between 59° to 77°F* [15°C ➛ 25°C*], in a cool, dry place.
* Although some medicines now suggest storage not above 85°F [30°C].

Some products can be irreversibly degraded, even by brief periods, at freezing temperatures.

Many medicines that require refrigeration, are “biologics” [often injectable], that contain living cells from plants, animals, or even humans.
There are lots of temperature-sensitive drugs that require refrigeration [36°F ➛ 46°F, or 2°C ➛ 8°C], to stay active and effective, including: insulin, Ozempic, vaccines, antibiotics, Humira, Enbrel, growth hormones, EpiPen, and even eye drops, to name but a few.

Some refrigerated medicines can be left out for a limited period of time.
During that time, your drugs must be kept in a cool place at room temperature [as low as 46°F ➛ 77°F, or 8°C ➛ 25°C].

Insulin, used for diabetes management, is usually good for up to 30 days at room temperature.
Humira injections, used for rheumatoid arthritis, can be out of the fridge for up to 14 days.
Aimovig, a preventive treatment for chronic migraine sufferers, is stable at room temperature for 7 days.
Latanoprost glaucoma eye drops are good for up to 6 weeks at room temperature.
Dupixent, used for severe asthma, can stay out of the fridge for 14 days.
Vaccines can generally be left out of the fridge for a few hours maximum. They’re very sensitive, and spoil rapidly at room temperature.

[sv Stella Maris]

Happy Monday and Great Question,

My family of 10 has lived aboard full time three of the last four years in the Caribbean. I am a licensed paramedic in addition. I have always had success using simple zip-lock bags and generic desiccant packs (small, maybe 1pound sacks). I toss them occasionally in the oven while it is cooling down after use to dehydrate them. As long as the temp is less than about 225F they will not damage (harden). Keep the small packs that come with many products, and keep them in any fabric pouch for a zero-cost solution.

Good luck and PM me for any other q’s.

Strong, Simple, Safe. The Stella Maris Way.

[s/v Jedi]

Epifrin (Epipen) is 20-25 degrees Celsius so regular room temperature.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by aqfishing

If you leave it in the blister pack that the pills come in, surely that will suffice till they expire?

Obviously you would want to store them in another sealed container of some sorts in a cool dry place. This would be more to protect the blister packs from damage.

Many people outside the United States are surprised to learn that most medications sold in the USA are dispensed in bulk after being counted out by the retail pharmacist, rather than sold in factory blister packs.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Cobalt chloride-coated silica gel isn’t usually used for consumer products.

Well, its use is being phased out, at least. Some studies have shown that it could be carcinogenic or cause allergic sensitization with repeated or prolonged contact. Most of the industry has switched to a less toxic organic indicator that starts out orange and changes to green when it gets wet.


If you're reading this in Ireland, I'm sorry, sometimes the jokes write themselves.

[dan104]

Like you I carry a ton of pills "Staying alive", my method has been.


I keep a 30 day supply(s) in waterproof plastic organizers I found on amazon which I keep sealed in silicon food container with has desiccant in it. Each week I pop it open and set up a 7 day supply (also in a waterproof pill organizer) that I work off. I do keep one of the 30 day sealed packets in my ditch bag.


Not like I will die if I don't have them but I am a CYA guy!

[Chotu]

Another thought about refrigerating them.

I think there is a downside. Every time you open that pill bottle there will be condensation on the pills.

[Mike Stim]

I use a zip lock freezer bag and keep them in the original pill container.

[wing15601]

Google “Heartfelt Beads”. They are used by museums to protect paintings and artifacts and I use them in my cigar humidor. I have several large humidors I use for long term aging and smaller tupperware containers for smaller “ready to smoke” batches. The way the beads are used is to spray them with distilled only water till about 50% of the beads are clear. I use the 65% humidity beads and if humidity rises above 65% the beads absorb moisture. If the humidity falls they add moisture. I don’t know all the ranges they sell but I’m guessing if you stored a tube of completely dry beads with your meds they would never become wet. I’ve been using the same beads for 3 years now. There’s nothing to wear out so they last forever.

[Kiwi.]

My doctor told me to treat my meds like a good bottle of wine. So into a snap lock and into the wine fridge. If you don't have a wine fridge, why are you cruising?