Medications
Drugs Exposed to Unsafe Water
Drugs (pills, oral liquids, drugs for injection, inhalers, skin medications) that are exposed to flood water or unsafe municipal water may become contaminated. This contamination may lead to diseases that can cause serious health effects.
Drug products – even those in their original containers – should be discarded if they have come into contact with flood water or contaminated water.
However, these drugs may be lifesaving and replacements may not be readily available. For these lifesaving drugs, if the container is contaminated but the contents appear unaffected (if the pills are dry), the pills may be used until a replacement can be obtained. If a pill is wet, it is contaminated and should be discarded.
Reconstituted Drugs
For children’s drugs that have to be made into a liquid using water (reconstituted), the drug should only be reconstituted with boiled or bottled water. Liquids other than water should not be used to reconstitute these products.
Drugs that Need Refrigeration
Some drugs require refrigeration (for example, somatropin and drugs that have been reconstituted). Check with your pharmacist if any of your medications require refrigeration and what you should do during a power outage. Temperature sensitive drugs lose potency if not refrigerated and should be replaced with a new supply as soon as possible.
If a contaminated product is considered medically necessary and would be difficult to replace quickly, you should contact a healthcare provider for guidance.
If you are concerned about the efficacy or safety of a particular product, contact your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
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