Refrigeration and the Prostaglandins
Regarding refrigeration, all the prostaglandins were found
to be stable for several months at room temperature. Xalatan
will continue to be stored long-term under refrigeration at
various warehouses and pharmacies; however, samples of Xalatan
in your office no loner require refrigeration. Even if patients
purchase three bottles at a time, they do not need to keep
them refrigerated in their homes. Thanks to further study and
research, the prostaglandins are now more user-friendly.
Research has shown that stability at room-temperature storage
paralleled that of refrigerator temperature. Bright sunlight,
though, can significantly degrade latanoprost. Therefore, based
on the science of this study, we should advise patients using
any of the prostaglandins not to leave them in their hot, sun-drenched
vehicles. Nightstands are a great place to keep these glaucoma
drugs.
Keep in mind that some patients prefer refrigerating their
eyedrops so they can be more certain of accurate instillation
by feeling the cold drop; this is certainly fine.
Morgan PV, Proniuk S, Blanchard J, Noecker RJ. Effect of temperature
and light on the stability of latanoprost and its clinical
relevance. J Glaucoma 2001 Oct;10(5):401-5.
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