Tablets in weekly plastic box

[Caitlyn6]

Does it make the tablets any less potent if you take them out of the packet slot and put them in a weekly dosset box (mon-sun)? Wondering why they package them so tightly in the strips. It’s a stupid question but still been bugging me

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Generally they keep longer in the original packaging. But a week should be fine in a dosset box. If you want a longer dated supply many pharmacists can supply your tablets in blister (compliance) packs if requested.

[Smarticus]

Hi, I would guess the advice would be to keep them in a cool dry place to stop humidity. Saying that mine sit next to me on the sofa in the box, a week isnt long enough for anything bad to happen, if you have a box instead of a blister pack wash your hands before putting them in the box would stop any contamination.

[Nettekin]

Not usually a problem i don't think.

However, when i was prescribed Nicorandil for a while (for angina) the packet clearly stated not to remove the tablets until you were ready to take them. This is because they are highly sensitive to moisture.

[alheart]

Have many tablets to take and I box them into a pill box 2 weeks at a time

Actually bought and use the BHF pill box

Easy to "load and use" (bought on-line)

Placing the "used" day at the bottom and reversed!

Just keeping track of the days and always thankful that I have had another day of life

(AVR and 2 by-pass in 2015 - just in time!)

Also advertises and helps support BHF!

Never have the pills long enough to get anywhere near their end dates !

[ILowe]

I find the strips a nuisance, and they are really fiddly. I use 7 day pill boxes. Possibly some pills need to be kept away from moisture in which case you need to be more careful. In days gone past we got pills in small bottles which was more convenient. When I was working abroad I used to buy my Warfarin in tubs of 500 tablets. I regard this modern packaging as a real waste of plastic and paper. Any possible decay in potency is likely to be so tiny you would not notice it.

[CJHosgood]

I posted my highest BP reading when starting Ramipril 250/150 !!! my son was exactly the same and ended up in A&E - thankfully cardiologist found me Verapamil which has worked well since my PE and 5 stents - horses for courses

[shellarc]

I put mine in a dosset box but in the blister pack they come in, I cut up the strips so one pill is in its original packaging, I only take 1 pill in the morning and 2 at night so there is no problem with room. It keeps them clean and dry.

Maybe this would put your mind at ease?

[Caitlyn6 in reply to shellarc]

Great idea. Il do that

[Alison_L]

I believe dispersible aspirin should not be put in with other tablets as they may start to degrade, but otherwise fine. BHF wouldn't sell their wallet if it wasn't safe. I use mine if I'm going away for a night or two (ah, remember those days?) - it's much easier than taking 8 or 9 boxes with me!

Occasionally my Eplerenone comes in a very unfriendly blister pack that has left me with shredded nails and fingertips (I can't remember which make it is), so I now take a pair of scissors to the pack, and transfer 2 months' worth into an old aspirin bottle.

[stevejb1810]

his is a really good question and one I've asked myself a number of times. I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 40 years and I can tell you that all stability studies are done in the patient pack (that can be a bottle or a blister pack etc.). Most products should be stored in a dry place, away from direct sunlight, in the original pack. That is how the shelf-life was calculated. So, knowing all of this, I dispense a weeks worth of tablets/capsules at a time into the little plastic trays that most of us probably use.

As a general rule, keep them (the drugs) in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight and sources of high humidity and they will be fine for a week. Do not store them in the fridge - too humid. I would be wary about taking the drugs out of their original packaging for more than a week, but not all drugs are the same so some will be fine others perhaps not so. Also, if you are taking something that is effervescent, keep it in the pack until you need it, as atmospheric moisture may start them effervescing.

[Caitlyn6 in reply to stevejb1810]

Great thanks 🙏

[scubadoo in reply to stevejb1810]

Generally speaking, fridges are not humid environments. Humidity decreases with temperature, so the lower the temperature, the lower the humidity. The Antarctic may have plenty of ice, but the air is very dry.

[Lonmayloon]

Hi Caitlyn6.

Quite a few medicines have special storage requirements. For heart patients some that they might encounter:-

Nicorandil (Ikorel) should NEVER be removed from its packaging until it is to be taken. The packaging contains a desiccant to prevent moisture damage from the atmosphere.

GTN tablets should remain in the glass bottle and not be stored in a warm pocket if you carry them around with you. Any unused tablets should be disposed of eight weeks after opening package. Return to pharmacy.

Dispersible aspirin deteriorates in the atmosphere but not too rapidly.

The above list is NOT exhaustive so check if in doubt.

[Handel]

I have to take 6 tablets in the morning and a statin in the evening. Trying to get tablets out of blister packs with my arthritis is a nightmare! When I have a little time I take a weeks supply out and put them in a weekly pill box thingy. I just flip the lid open and swallow the lot!!!! I can manage the statin from the blister pack.

Some really valid points made by the knowledgable on this forum.

Good luck and take good care of yourself xxx

[Prada47]

I take some of mine first thing in the morning so "it starts with a 5 a day "

The only thing I have against sorting out my meds for a week in a dosset box is how blood* quick the weeks come around !!!

Stay Well Stay Safe

[Supernanu]

My husband takes a load of tablets at different times of day and used to find it really difficult to remember. Our gp now instructs the pharmacy to put them in a dosette box. He gets 4 weeks at a time all out into the appropriate time and day.

Surely they must be content that the meds won’t be degraded?

[Hidden]

No official info but a few thoughts...

Any tablets that come in a dark brown bottle may be best not placed into a 7-day box, as I believe the dark bottle is to reduce light exposure. But think this is rare.

When going on holiday (oh the nostalgia/ future hopes!), I take a week’s supply in the 7-day box in hand luggage, but also take the packets, unfolded into flat position with elastic band around. The flat boxes also go in hand bags, in case customs want to see original packaging. A set of spare pills goes in main luggage in case I’m stuck/ hand luggage stolen (I was delayed 4 days getting home in March, so it can happen!)

Finally, even if the tablets do degrade a bit, it’s got to be better than me missing / duplicating a dose, which I’m pretty sure would happen otherwise 😉