Skilled Care Pharmacy’s
FOCUS Of the Month
December 2012
EXPIRATION
DATES FOR
CERTAIN
DRUGS
The following list represents revised recommendations based on manufacturer’s literature
and pharmacy industry standards for expiration dates for these drugs and biologicals.
PRODUCT
EXPIRATION DATE
External meds, bulk meds & solid forms……………See manufacturer’s container
Nitroglycerin products (Nitrostat,NitroQuick)……..Manufacturers expiration date
Prepackaged Unit Dose Meds…………………………..See package
PRODUCTS COMPOUNDED BY THE PHARMACY
Compounded treatments……………………………….. 6 mo. From date sent unless otherwise indicated
DO NOT REFRIGERATE
Pepcid suspension compounded……………………… 30 days (discard any unused portion after 31 days)
STORE IN REFRIGERATOR
Ativan injection …………………………………………….. 2 wks. unrefrigerated
*Calcimar injection ……………………………………….. 48 hrs. unrefrigerated
Epogen vials…………………………………………………..2 wks. unrefrigerated (multi-dose vials should not be kept longer
than 21 days after initial puncture)
*Insulin ……………………………………………………….. 28 days refrigerated/unrefrigerated after 1st use
Lantus may be kept in the refrigerator or “as
cool as possible” (< 86° F) after opening for
up to 28 days. Refrigerate prior to that.
*Lorazepam Intensol Solution ………………………… 30 days unrefrigerated/90 days refrigerated
*Miacalcin Spray …………………………………………… 30 days after opened – Store upright
(may be kept room temperature up to 30 days
after opened)
Pepcid Injection ……………………………………………. 7 days unrefrigerated
Ventolin Nebules, 3ml …………………………………….2 wks. unrefrigerated
*Xalatan………………………………………………………..42 days refrigerated/unrefrigerated after opened
(protect from light)
DIABETIC TESTING PRODUCTS
(Manufacturer’s directions)
Chemstrips, Diascan ……………………………………… Mfg. Expiration date
*Glucostix, Ketodiastix, Destrostix ………………….. 4 mo. after opened
Ketostix, Diastix, Clinistix ………………………………. 6 mo. after opened
Supreme Blood Glucose ………………………………… 3 mo. after opened
Visidex ………………………………………………………….4 mo. after opened
MISCELLANEOUS
(Manufacturer’s directions)
Ampules ……………………………………………………….1 dose
*B complex with C & B-12 injection …………………14 days after reconstitution – refrigerate
*Bacteriostatic normal saline …………………………. 30 days after first use
*Bacteriostatic water for injection, Heparin……….30 days after first use, 6 mo. Refrigerated
*Cyanocobalamin mdv inj……………………………….28 days
*Furosemide oral solution ……………………………… MGP brand – 60 days after opened
Roxane brand – 90 days after opened
*Mucomyst ……………………………………………………96 hrs. after opened – refrigerate
*Multi-dose injections …………………………………… 6 mo. after first use
Ophthalmic solutions …………………………………….. Mfg. Expiration date
Outside pharmacy provider meds …………………… 1 yr. From date sent unless otherwise specified
*Oxycodone Intensol Soln. (Roxicodone) ………… 90 days after opened
*Pulmicort Respules ……………………………………… 2 wks. After foil envelope is opened
*Single dose vials & dosettes ………………………… 24 hrs.
*Sterile water for injection …………………………….. 30 days after first use
*Sterile water, NaCl,
and acetic acid irrigation solns……………………… 24 hrs. – discard unused portion
*Tubersol/Aplisol tuberculin PPD vial ……………… 30 days after first use – refrigerate – protect from light
*Albuterol Inhal. Soln.
0.5%, 5mg/ml x 20ml …………………………………. 6 mo. after opened
Ventolin HFA Inhaler……………………………………12 months after opening
*Vitamin A …………………………………………………… 30 days after opened
*Xopenex Inhal. Soln. Vial… 2 wks. IN pouch after foil pouch opened/1 wk. OUT of pouch
*Date opened should be entered on any product that expires before manufacturer’s expiration date.
STORAGE OF MEDICATIONS
INTERNALS
EXTERNALS
Eye drops
PO Meds
Nitrostat Tab
Patches
Oral Inhalers
Injectibles
Normal Saline for Aerosol
Nasal sprays, drops, inhalers
Suppositories
Normal Saline for treatments
Ear drops
Creams, ointments, lotions
Sprays