Topic: Pharmacy left Bicillin out of fridge for 3 hours....should I accept it?
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
My husband went to the pharmacy to pick up my Bicillin. The first time we got it from them, it had been in the fridge and was cold.
This time, it was room temp, so my husband called me. I told him not to accept it, and to ask how long it had been out. They told him 3 hours.
I called my LLMD, but in case I don't hear back from him, I was wondering what you all have been told regarding how long Bicillin can be outside of refrigeration?
The pharmacist told my husband the Bicillin was still good, but I told my husband to not accept it until we check.
Thoughts?
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
You should contact the manufacturer King Pharmaceuticals. The prescribing information did not state how long it is stable at room temp.
These are the phone numbers listed on the site: 1-800-776-3637 (select option 7) or Customer Service and Sales in the U.S. at 1-888-840-5370.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Reject it, and get a new supply, tell the pharmacy to stop being negligent!
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
I have to agree with WC here... I think your first instincts were most likely the most accurate and safe.
Everything I have read re: Bicillin instructs to take it out of the cold only when ready to use. Warming in your hand to room temp... most cite 15-30 minutes.
Now, could it be fine? Sure. But at that cost, both monetarily and physically (ouch), why risk it?
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
I accidentally left my Bicillin out an entire weekend in the house and called King Pharmaceuticals. They had done one study that tested the effectiveness of Bicillin at a couple of different temperatures, for different lengths of time.
The temperature of my house and the length of time was within their test to be OK. I used it (couldn't throw out $1,000 worth that I paid for out-of-pocket) and I lived to tell about it.
Call them if you want to and speak to their technical person.
But given that it was the pharmacy's fault, you have every right to reject it.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Jill E.: I accidentally left my Bicillin out an entire weekend in the house and called King Pharmaceuticals. They had done one study that tested the effectiveness of Bicillin at a couple of different temperatures, for different lengths of time.
Can you tell what exactly they found? -e.g. how long you can keep it out of fridge and how warm it can get before it starts losing its effectiveness?
Posts: 856 | From MA | Registered: Jul 2009
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