Hello, I have just started taking Levothyroxine/Oroxine 50mg. On the package it says
"A single blister strip can be removed from the carton and stored below 25C for up to 14 days. After 14 days of storage below 25C, discard any remaining tablets"
Does this mean I need to dispose of any unused tablet? I feel like this is a huge waste considering I only take 3 tablets per week.
This is very unusual although it’s what the pack says. I can’t see how removing a blister strip from a cardboard box could affect the tablets. It seems like a scam to sell more tablets. We don’t have this brand in the UK so can’t comment further.
I think this is what you are referring to:
Storage
Store at 2°C to 8°C (Refrigerate. Do not freeze).
Always store tablets in their original blister strips.
If you do not keep the tablets in the blister strip they may not keep well.
Laboratory tests have shown that if not stored correctly, there is a reduction in potency of the active ingredient levothyroxine sodium.
In-Use Blisters: A single blister strip can be removed from the carton and stored below 25oC for up to 14 days (2 weeks). After 14 days (2 weeks) of storage below 25⁰C, discard any remaining tablets.
Where unavoidable (e.g. in warm climates where temperatures regularly exceed 25°C), an in-use blister strip may continue to be stored in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (Refrigerate. Do not freeze)for up to 14 days (2 weeks)
thyroidfoundation.org.au/re...
It isn't written very clearly, in my view.
As I read it, they are trying to say that you can remove a blister strip and store it without refrigeration but still below 25C for up to 14 days. (Normally, it should be stored under refrigeration at between 2 and 8C.)
Assuming your blister strips are similar to ours in the UK, I think you could perfectly happily use a pair of scissors to snip off a bit of the strip containing a sensible number of tablets (e.g. 5 or 6).
But it isn't saying that you MUST remove the blister strip from the refrigerator at all. They are trying to give you some idea of what you can safely do, if needed.
Yes, I think they are probably being over-cautious. But it doesn't seem too difficult to comply without throwing lots of tablets away.
(Also, remember you should not literally throw them away or put them down drains.)
If you do discard them, take them to a pharmacy for disposal.
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