Freezing of a drug can result in a number of problems. A medication may need to be replaced once it has been frozen.
Exposure to freezing temperature may occur during:
(1) shipping during the winter
(2) winter expedition
(3) storage in a vehicle over winter
(4) malfunction of a refrigerator
(5) accident
A liquid may freeze at different temperatures depending on the formulation, from 0°C to -20°C.
Delivery System |
Complication After Freezing |
liquid in ampoule |
hairline fracture of glass, with contamination, leakage or oxidation |
liquid in other glass container |
expansion of liquid with shattering of container |
suppository |
fragmentation into pieces |
capsule |
crack or break |
Compounds that may breakdown or deteriorate after freezing:
(1) protein solutions (insulin, other)
(2) emulsions
(3) metal-organic compound
Additional risk factors for deterioration:
(1) repeated episodes of freezing and thawing
(2) wide swings in temperature (can happen in airplanes)
(3) vibration or sudden impact (can shatter something brittle)
Specialty: Pharmacology, clinical
ICD-10: ,