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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Can Harvoni be stored in the fridge?
Post Info TOPIC: Can Harvoni be stored in the fridge?
Shadowfax


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RE: Can Harvoni be stored in the fridge?
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Hello,

Keep the meds as told at room temperature. ALSO and important, as Tig mentioned, you will have that little round plastic moisture pack in the bottle. Its not a flat fabric one like we are used to seeing. Its cylindrical. I phoned and asked about it. Absolutely do not remove it. Keep it in until the bottle is empty. 

Good luck and keep well

 

SF



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Tig


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That's good! I didn't think there would be any trouble. Since you're in Thailand, if you're on the coast, be conscious of the humidity. That's as bad as too high a heat. You could keep one of those moisture dessicant packs in a storage container with the meds if necessary. Let us know how it goes, best of luck!



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Fabcarp333


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Hi Everbody, My Dr got back to me and told me to take Meds out of the fridge and keep at 25 - 30 C. Hope this is of some use to other people. Good Luck Everybody.

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wmlj1960


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Winfrey50 wrote:

 It's crazy that we find ourselves wondering, worrying about this stuff. For a minute yesterday I thought my girlfriend's dog ate  of my pills. I was about to do the Heimlich Manauver on him.

 If your girlfriend has a video cam be sure she keeps it handy. We may get some entertaining "what to watch out for while on Sov, Dak, Riba Tx" viral videos before your 12 weeks is done. biggrin



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Tig


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David,

I have to change shirts now, thanks a lot. When I got to the part about doing a doggy Heimlich Maneuver, I had a coffee through the nose moment.... That was funny! wink 



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Tig

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Winfrey50


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Interesting question.......seems that almost anything that is kept room temp can be kept in the fridge without harm.......No clue if it helps or not, but best of luck. It's crazy that we find ourselves wondering, worrying about this stuff. For a minute yesterday I thought my girlfriend's dog ate  of my pills. I was about to do the Heimlich Manauver on him.



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Fabcarp333


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Thanks to all waiting to hear from my Indian Doctors and Cipla the drug manufacturer

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Tig


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Hi Nigel,

I think you'll be okay, but a call to the pharmacist should be made. Our member Jaded had stored hers in the fridge and was concerned as well. Her pharmacy told her she was okay.  Here is what she was told:  JADED'S POST.

I used different medications on treatment, pills and injectables, but kept them all in the refridgerator the entire 7 months. 

 



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Tig

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Linuxter


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Hi Nigel,

Welcome to the forum, we're glad you're here!

You should call your pharmacy, they can give you information on this.

You could also call Gilead.

Here's some information from Gilead regarding Harvoni, see  Item 16 (toward the bottom of the page)

It states:

"Store at room temperature below 30°C (86°F)"

IMO, they are indicating a Maximum temperature only (not a Minimum).

There may be a minimum temp, but I don't see it there. Like I said above please call the pharmacy, they will let you know.

I might add that as long as the containers have the original seal intact then cold probably isn't a problem. If you place a container that has been opened (i.e. contains moist room air) in the fridge than you could conceivably get condensation.

These meds should not be subjected to moisture.

I don't know anything about the following site but you may find some information there also ... I'm not sure how accurate the following is though.

http://fixhepc.com/kunena-2015-11-10/faq.html



-- Edited by Linuxter on Tuesday 26th of April 2016 07:01:16 AM

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Fabcarp333


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Meds in fridge 12 c six months of Meds am I in trouble or not. Scared I messed up my Meds

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malekula man


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I found an answer from Gilead UK on russian HCV forum:

Sofosbuvir storage:

DO NOT STORE OR FREEZE BELOW +5

+5 +10 - 30 days

+10 +18 - 60 days

+18 + 22 (pharmacy conditions) - 16-18 months

+30 +40 - 45 days

+40 +50 - 30 days

for sealed packages.

For unsealed package: store only between +15 +29 (Celsius) and 30 - 75% humidity for 45 days only.



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Jaded


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Redbird29 wrote:

Jaded - Thank you for the update! I had been following this thread as I, like you, live in a hot place. I am in the Mojave Desert and the temps here have been 110 - 115. We have a "Swamp" Cooler and my house averages 83 during the day. I have been pretty stressed about this and have my meds in a dresser drawer in my room where it is a bit cooler. Knowing that the range goes up to 40 c is a HUGE relief!

That's pretty hot! 110-155 F is 43.3-46.1 C.  83 F (28.3) is no problem...it can last 24 months at that temperature.



-- Edited by Jaded on Monday 6th of July 2015 06:26:09 AM

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Redbird29


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Jaded - Thank you for the update! I had been following this thread as I, like you, live in a hot place. I am in the Mojave Desert and the temps here have been 110 - 115. We have a "Swamp" Cooler and my house averages 83 during the day. I have been pretty stressed about this and have my meds in a dresser drawer in my room where it is a bit cooler. Knowing that the range goes up to 40 c is a HUGE relief!



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Jaded


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KPB wrote:

FYI

My pharmacy (CVS Caremark) sent my prescription, via: fedx.  The prescription was shipped in a cooler with frozen jell packs, when I called the pharmacy to ask WHY the cooler ?  I was told to not allow the drug to be stored in any place that may reach temperatures above 80 degrees.

 

If its 70 degrees outside IN A CAR it goes UP to 110 within the first 30 minutes...this from...

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-blogs/weathermatrix/even-60-degrees-is-too-hot-for-pets-in-cars/19368

The inside of a closed cargo container of a truck can reach extremely hot temperatures so it doesn't surprise me that FedX would use frozen gel packs.

But it says right in the pamphlet store below 30 C and 80 F is 26.6 C. My pharmacy spoke with Gilead about this and storing below 30 C is for optimal shelf life...24 months...but when you only get 28 pills at a time optimal shelf life is not an issue.



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KPB


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FYI

My pharmacy (CVS Caremark) sent my prescription, via: fedx.  The prescription was shipped in a cooler with frozen jell packs, when I called the pharmacy to ask WHY the cooler ?  I was told to not allow the drug to be stored in any place that may reach temperatures above 80 degrees.



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Cinnamon Girl


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Hi Jaded, thanks for the update, that`s very useful information 

You must have been very relieved to hear this, and it sounds sensible to store them in a cooler room.

Onwards and upwards!

 



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Tig


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That's good to know. Sounds likes Gilead designed some thermal wiggle room into their storage recommendations! Thanks for letting us know.



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Tig

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Jaded


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The Pharmacy finally got back to me today. It seems even when frozen the life of Harvoni is still good for 45 day and even at 40 C it is still good for 6 months. Between 5 -30 C the shelf life is 24 months. So my pills should be OK and no need to worry about warmer temperatures. I have moved them to my bedroom where it is a bit cooler and darker during the day.

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Tig


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I believe as long as you don't allow the medication to freeze and you maintain the temperature below 86* F/30* C, you should be fine. The refrigerator also provides a humidity controlled environment as well. Your Harvoni wasn't harmed. 

 

 "STORAGE AND STABILITY

Store below 30 °C (86 °F).

-Dispense only in original container

-Do not use if seal over bottle opening is broken or missing.

  • SPECIAL HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS

    There are no special handling instructions" 

http://www.gilead.ca/pdf/ca/harvoni_pm_english.pdf



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Tig

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malekula man


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The range between 5 and 30C is good. Normally the fridge on regular setup keeps between 3(near freezer) and 7C. So it's possible. Just make sure you keep this little plastic thing in the bottle which is filled with silicon gel to absorb the moisture.
But I would recommend you to find the coolest and darkest place at your home where you will store your Harvoni.

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Brian1412


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Moisture is always not good w pills you put it in a dark room out of durect sun worked for me

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Brian1412


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I carried mine in one of those Tupperware white cone things witha screew on top. Pill bottle with the thingy in it and cotton ball. O was in very hot florida no problem but i would stick to the manufacture instructions

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Jaded


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It is supposed to be stored below 30 C but we have been having pretty high heat this summer. I put it in the fridge for a while and then decide to take it out. I then put it back and took it out after talking to the pharmacist. He said he will call the company tomorrow. I hope I haven't done it any harm...I have 1 full bottle and another with a weeks worth. Has anybody stored Harvoni in the fridge?



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