Mail-Order Drugs Exposed To Extreme Heat

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Date:

2004-11-01

Mail-Order Drugs Exposed To Extreme Heat

Seattle, WA (October 27, 2004) ­ Mail-order prescriptions exposed to

excessive environmental heat, such as temperatures found in mailboxes and

car interiors, may become significantly less effective for patients. In a

new study presented at CHEST 2004, the 70th annual international scientific

assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), formoterol, a

common inhaled asthma medication, delivered less than half of its expected

dosage and showed significant physical changes after being exposed to 150ºF

for 4 hours.

" Inhaled medications are calculated to deliver a specific dosage for each

use. Extreme temperatures can affect medications in just a few hours,

causing them to deliver inaccurate dosages, making the medications less

effective, " said the study¹s lead author T. Chu, MD, FCCP, Carl T.

Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Banner Good Samaritan Medical

Center, Phoenix, AZ. " For patients with respiratory conditions, who rely on

their medications to relieve acute breathing difficulties, inaccurate

medication dosage can lead to serious medical consequences. "

Researchers from Carl T. Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center tested the

effects of heat on powder-filled formoterol capsules and its effects on drug

delivery. Formoterol capsules were heated in their original packaging for 4

hours at 150ºF, similar to the temperature found in the inside of an Arizona

mailbox. Capsules were removed from their packaging and dispensed into a

filter tube using the inhalation technique and device provided by the

manufacturer. Weights of the filter tube pre- and postdispensation were

obtained to calculate simulated drug delivery. Results showed that filter

weights of heated medications were less than half of those unexposed to

heat, showing that a significantly less amount of the drug had been

dispensed after it had been heated. In addition, capsules exposed to heat

were grossly distorted in appearance and showed visible clumping.

" Mail-order prescriptions have become increasingly popular among patients in

the last few years. However, many patients do not realize that most

medications have storage requirements regarding exposure to excessive

temperatures, " said study coauthor A. Robbins, MD, FCCP, Carl T.

Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center. " We strongly advise that patients

avoid exposing medications to the extreme heat found in mailboxes and car

interiors and inspect all mail-order medications prior to consumption. "

According to researchers, asthma medications and other prescriptions

delivered in the extreme-heat states of the Southwest are not the only

medications at risk. Any situation that exposes a drug, particularly those

with gelatin capsules or containing powder, to excessive temperatures may

put a patient at risk for consuming altered medication.

In 2003, mail order represented an estimated 17 percent of retail

prescription drug sales in the United States, totaling more than $35 billion

in sales and an increase of more than 15 percent from sales in 2002.

" With the increasing popularity of ordering medications by mail, retailers

who fill prescriptions by mail must place additional focus on the proper

packaging and shipping requirements for at-risk medications, " said A.

Kvale, MD, FCCP, President of the American College of Chest Physicians. " It

also is important for patients to review manufacturer storage directions to

ensure that medications are not exposed to extreme temperatures, either

inside or outside the home. "

CHEST 2004 is the 70th annual international scientific assembly of the

American College of Chest Physicians, held October 23-28 in Seattle, WA.

ACCP represents 16,000 members who provide clinical respiratory, critical

care, sleep, and cardiothoracic patient care in the United States and

throughout the world. The ACCP's mission is to promote the prevention and

treatment of diseases of the chest through leadership, education, research,

and communication.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/10/041030154817.htm