I spoke to the specialty pharmacist at my insurance company's pharmacy, and he said it should be fine. Although he did ask me if my refrigerator was colder than 59 degrees. :::eyeroll:::
LadyAlaise said
Nov 6, 2012
I've accidently kept my Riba in the fridge for over a day or two and when I asked my NP at liver doc's she had said it should be fine; just not to store it in the fridge; I've done it more than once thanks to my foggy head but thus far no problems
Neil_Canuck said
Nov 6, 2012
Once again....this is from the Merck product information guide. It makes no difference where you keep the ribavirin. I keep everything in the fridge. If you live in a climate where temps could hit over 86 deg F in the summer it is wiser to keep it in the fridge.
When separated, RBV should be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C or at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C.
-- Edited by Neil_Canuck on Tuesday 6th of November 2012 07:44:21 PM
Judy S said
Nov 6, 2012
I'd always kept my PegIntron and Victrelis in the fridge and the Riba at room temp. That's how I received them from the pharmacy and how I was instructed to keep them.
Uval, I'd guess that they don't want you to break the Riba in half because it is time-released. If you split it, you might get too much medication at once.
-- Edited by Judy S on Tuesday 6th of November 2012 06:08:42 PM
Uval951 said
Nov 3, 2012
Our CVS Special Pharmacy has instructed to keep Ribasphere (RibaPak) tablets in ROOM temperature. Other meds (Pegasys, Victrelis) are stored in refrigerator only.
Just in case, if you reduce Ribs doses, DON'T BREAK RibaPak tablets for half!!! I have no idea why, but pharmacy told me it a few times.
Bloomster said
Oct 29, 2012
We've always kept peg/riba/victrelis in the fridge also. Glad to discuss to clear up though.
iggle said
Oct 29, 2012
Interesting question. I have always stored my riba at room temp.
Sed3 said
Oct 29, 2012
Mu understanding is that only the liquid ribavirin gets refrigerated, not the pills.
Regardless, I'm in NYC, so I"ll have to wait until Armageddon passes to get anything done.
mallani said
Oct 29, 2012
You guys had me worried that I'd misunderstood a basic instruction from day1! I rang my doc who was highly amused at my concern. His instructions are to keep the Riba. in the fridge after opening. We have many days over 30C, so room temp. would be a concern here.
Biggyb said
Oct 29, 2012
Yea, i get my peg in 1 pack and riba in seperate bottles. Have always kept riba at room temp. I cant see what it could possibly hurt being in fridge, might be better in fridge and stay fresher.Its just easy for me too keep that way..I do keep peg and Victrelis in fridge.
mallani said
Oct 29, 2012
I'm confused! My pharmacy dispenses the Peg./ Copegus pack from their fridge. When I open the pack , I leave it all in the fridge. I've just checked with the pharmacy, and after opening the Copegus, it's OK to store it at <30C. However, it's also OK to keep it in the fridge. The Peg. must be kept in the fridge. I've done this for 33 weeks. Do others take their Riba.(Rebetol , Copegus , Ribasphere) out of the fridge?
news said
Oct 29, 2012
This is a tough one. I never "abused" my ribasphere ribapacks for a whole week, but twice they were shipped to me on ice packs with my Pegasys and the shipment took two days to arrive. But I bet the pharmacy is going to want to replace them after a whole week. Do you need them for tonight's dose or can you wait till tomorrow?
kiwi said
Oct 29, 2012
all i know is that when i picked up my box of pegasus, the injections and the pills were refrigerated. both in the same box. chemist lady said, keep interferon in fridge, pills, no problem, dont need to keep cold.
i dont think you have to worry. its the interferon thats more important to keep chilled.
Sed3 said
Oct 29, 2012
Hi - I accidentally stored my Ribasphere tablets in the refrigerator for a week. The box says it should be between 59-86 F for "excursions", and normally at 77 F. No pharmacist at the mail order pharmacy today.
Anyone to assuage my fear until tomorrow? Thanks!
Neil_Canuck said
Oct 28, 2012
Right from the Merck product info .pdf I've always kept the whole box with all 3 products in the fridge the way it was dispensed from the pharmacy. That is correct.
STORAGE AND STABILITY
Storage of VICTRELIS TRIPLEPackages
Store VICTRELIS TRIPLEpackage refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C. Do not use past expiry
date on the label.
Storage of boceprevir
Boceprevir should be refrigerated at 2°C > 8°C until dispensed to the patient. When separated and for
patient use, the product may be stored in the refrigerator until the expiration date printed on the
label. The product can also be stored at room temperature (15°C30°C) for up to 3 months.
Store in the original container.
Storage of ribavirin
When separated, RBV should be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C or at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C.
Storage for peginterferon alfa-2b
When separated and before reconstitution, store the individual carton of PegIFN2b at 2°C to 8°C.
Once reconstituted PegIFN2b should be used immediately but may be stored at 2°C > 8°C for up to
24 hours. Do not freeze.
-- Edited by Neil_Canuck on Monday 29th of October 2012 02:52:49 AM
Once again....this is from the Merck product information guide. It makes no difference where you keep the ribavirin. I keep everything in the fridge. If you live in a climate where temps could hit over 86 deg F in the summer it is wiser to keep it in the fridge.
http://www.merckfrosst.ca/assets/en/pdf/products/VICTRELIS_TRIPLE-PM_E.pdf Storage is on page 50 for all 3 products.
Storage of ribavirin
When separated, RBV should be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C or at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C.
-- Edited by Neil_Canuck on Tuesday 6th of November 2012 07:44:21 PM
I'd always kept my PegIntron and Victrelis in the fridge and the Riba at room temp. That's how I received them from the pharmacy and how I was instructed to keep them.
Uval, I'd guess that they don't want you to break the Riba in half because it is time-released. If you split it, you might get too much medication at once.
-- Edited by Judy S on Tuesday 6th of November 2012 06:08:42 PM
Our CVS Special Pharmacy has instructed to keep Ribasphere (RibaPak) tablets in ROOM temperature. Other meds (Pegasys, Victrelis) are stored in refrigerator only.
Just in case, if you reduce Ribs doses, DON'T BREAK RibaPak tablets for half!!! I have no idea why, but pharmacy told me it a few times.
We've always kept peg/riba/victrelis in the fridge also. Glad to discuss to clear up though.
Interesting question. I have always stored my riba at room temp.
Regardless, I'm in NYC, so I"ll have to wait until Armageddon passes to get anything done.
You guys had me worried that I'd misunderstood a basic instruction from day1! I rang my doc who was highly amused at my concern. His instructions are to keep the Riba. in the fridge after opening. We have many days over 30C, so room temp. would be a concern here.
Yea, i get my peg in 1 pack and riba in seperate bottles. Have always kept riba at room temp. I cant see what it could possibly hurt being in fridge, might be better in fridge and stay fresher.Its just easy for me too keep that way..I do keep peg and Victrelis in fridge.
I'm confused! My pharmacy dispenses the Peg./ Copegus pack from their fridge. When I open the pack , I leave it all in the fridge. I've just checked with the pharmacy, and after opening the Copegus, it's OK to store it at <30C. However, it's also OK to keep it in the fridge. The Peg. must be kept in the fridge. I've done this for 33 weeks. Do others take their Riba.(Rebetol , Copegus , Ribasphere) out of the fridge?
all i know is that when i picked up my box of pegasus, the injections and the pills were refrigerated. both in the same box. chemist lady said, keep interferon in fridge, pills, no problem, dont need to keep cold.
i dont think you have to worry. its the interferon thats more important to keep chilled.
Hi - I accidentally stored my Ribasphere tablets in the refrigerator for a week. The box says it should be between 59-86 F for "excursions", and normally at 77 F. No pharmacist at the mail order pharmacy today.
Anyone to assuage my fear until tomorrow? Thanks!
Right from the Merck product info .pdf I've always kept the whole box with all 3 products in the fridge the way it was dispensed from the pharmacy. That is correct.
STORAGE AND STABILITY
Storage of VICTRELIS TRIPLEPackages
Store VICTRELIS TRIPLEpackage refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C. Do not use past expiry
date on the label.
Storage of boceprevir
Boceprevir should be refrigerated at 2°C > 8°C until dispensed to the patient. When separated and for
patient use, the product may be stored in the refrigerator until the expiration date printed on the
label. The product can also be stored at room temperature (15°C30°C) for up to 3 months.
Store in the original container.
Storage of ribavirin
When separated, RBV should be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C or at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C.
Storage for peginterferon alfa-2b
When separated and before reconstitution, store the individual carton of PegIFN2b at 2°C to 8°C.
Once reconstituted PegIFN2b should be used immediately but may be stored at 2°C > 8°C for up to
24 hours. Do not freeze.
-- Edited by Neil_Canuck on Monday 29th of October 2012 02:52:49 AM