High temperatures (above 25°C) can affect the efficacy of your medication, so it is important to ensure you store it correctly in hot conditions. Be particularly vigilant with medication stored in emergency injection kits that you would usually store in the car, where temperatures may get high.
If your medicine has changed colour, developed an unusual smell, changed texture or looks different, this could signal heat damage. Order replacements and discard the degraded medication when you have new stock available.
Preventing heat damage
- Check the manufacturer's instructions to see if your medication needs to be kept at a certain temperature. Solid medicines (tablets and capsules) are usually stable for a short time above 25°C – just store them somewhere cool, dark and shaded.
- In extreme heat, some medication may need to be refrigerated to keep cool. In the short term, blister packaging should protect from the risk of any moisture damaging the medication. Refrigeration can help during heatwaves, though we wouldn't recommend it long-term. Be aware of any change to your medication.
- Check how your medication should be stored (e.g. in a sealed container, to block out light). Cool bags or pouches designed for items like insulin can also help keep medication cool in summer and are available online or speak with your pharmacist.
- Emergency injection medication: Hydrocortisone sodium succinate (previously known as Solu-Cortef) is more stable in hot weather than hydrocortisone sodium phosphate (liquid hydrocortisone, which was discontinued in the UK in May 2026), so it is a good option for when going abroad.
If you are still worried, you may be able to contact individual manufacturers for additional and specific advice on your situation.
