People are being urged to move their medication during hot weather, as some common pills may become useless if exposed to the heat for too long. Across the UK, the hot weather is baking parts of the country, with temperatures expected to reach 40°C, sparking multiple health warnings.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued red heat health warnings, covering the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and East of England. People outside the weather warning zones should still take precautions, especially if they take medicine like statins.
An estimated seven to eight million adults in the UK take statins, making them one of the most commonly prescribed medications. Most medicines need to be stored at temperatures below 25°C, or their active ingredients may break down, rendering the pills useless.
This can be a dangerous situation for someone relying on cholesterol-lowering medication, as it can lead to undetected rises in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. If the medication stops working, people could unknowingly be at risk of potentially fatal heart issues.
Because statins must not be refrigerated due to moisture damage, people who rely on this medication have to find the naturally coolest areas in their home to keep their pills in working order. Avoid leaving them on windowsills or bedside tables as direct sunlight through glass creates a greenhouse effect, raising the temperature of the medicine box well above the room's actual temperature.
The room you choose might also make a difference, as places with constant temperature changes, like the kitchen or bathroom, may ruin the medication through exposure to humidity from showers or cooking appliances like ovens, hobs, and air fryers that generate ambient heat.
People should opt for places that do not experience major temperature changes and can handle the general heatwave. Places like drawers, wardrobes, cupboards and pantries are ideal options - especially during the next few days.
Picking a low-level drawer in the bedroom or hallway could be one option, as cool air naturally sinks to the floor. Using spare space in your wardrobe or storage cupboards also stays cooler for longer, especially if they do not share a wall with the outside.
Keeping your medicine in the pantry or larder might sound strange, but the dark, cool storage space (especially on the ground floor) usually maintains a lower, more stable temperature than the rest of the house. Be sure to keep any medicine properly labelled and out of reach if children are about.
It is almost often impossible to tell if a statin tablet has been heat-damaged just by looking at it, as active ingredients can degrade without changing the tablet's appearance. Check for any crumbly, chalky texture or abnormal discolouration.
Blister packs that have melted, warped, or become brittle are clear signs of excessive heat exposure. If you suspect your statins have been heat-damaged, do not take the risk and contact your pharmacist to confirm whether the medication is safe to use or if a replacement is needed.
