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Temperature-Sensitive Medications

Meaning

Temperature-sensitive medications are pharmaceutical products whose chemical integrity, stability, and therapeutic efficacy are critically dependent on storage within a narrow, specified temperature range, typically refrigerated or frozen conditions. Exposure to temperatures outside this range, either too high or too low, can cause molecular degradation, leading to a loss of potency or the formation of toxic byproducts. Biologic agents, peptide hormones, and many compounded preparations, including certain injectable hormones, fall into this category, requiring meticulous cold chain management for clinical reliability. Patient compliance with storage instructions is a crucial component of treatment success.