Leaving ibuprofen in a hot car can potentially impact the drug’s safety and effectiveness. Extreme heat can cause the active ingredients in ibuprofen to break down more quickly. However, the actual effects depend on several factors, including how hot it gets inside the car and how long the medicine is left there.
Can heat affect ibuprofen?
Yes, excessive heat can degrade ibuprofen and other medications. Ibuprofen is considered a stable drug, but its active ingredients can break down with prolonged exposure to high temperatures. For example, one study found that ibuprofen degrades faster at higher storage temperatures. After 90 days, samples stored at 70°C (158°F) retained only 50% of their original ibuprofen content, compared to minimal losses for samples at 25°C (77°F).
The actual temperature inside a parked car can climb dangerously high, especially on hot, sunny days. Studies have recorded internal car temperatures up to 172°F (78°C) when outside temperatures were only in the 90s F. These conditions can accelerate chemical changes in medications left inside.
How does heat affect ibuprofen?
When ibuprofen is exposed to prolonged heat, the drug’s active ingredients – ibuprofen molecules – begin to break down through a process called hydrolysis. The ibuprofen molecules react with water and split into byproducts called carboxylic acids and alcohols. This chemical change happens more quickly at higher temperatures.
As the active ibuprofen degrades into other compounds, there is less of the original drug left in the medicine. So heat damage can decrease the stated amount of ibuprofen in a pill or liquid. Taking medicine that has partially broken down may result in getting a lower ibuprofen dose than expected.
Can degraded ibuprofen be unsafe?
In addition to lower potency, some degradation byproducts may also be irritating to the stomach lining or potentially toxic if consumed. However, chemical studies suggest the main byproducts from ibuprofen hydrolysis are similar simple organic acids that are not considered highly toxic. Still, degraded medications may be riskier to take, especially at higher doses.
How long can ibuprofen last in a hot car?
It’s difficult to predict exactly how long ibuprofen will last before degrading significantly in a hot vehicle. The breakdown rate depends on the temperature and other factors like moisture levels and whether the drug is in tablet, capsule, or liquid form. In general:
- Tablets likely degrade faster than capsules due to greater exposure to humidity.
- Higher temperatures cause faster breakdown.
- More moisture (humidity) in the air speeds up hydrolysis.
- Liquid medications degrade quickest, followed by tablets then capsules.
One study tested ibuprofen tablets and syrup left in a parked car for 7 days when daytime temperatures reached 104-122°F (40-50°C). After just 1-2 days, the liquid had degraded significantly. The tablets showed some breakdown as well. This demonstrates that hot car conditions for even short periods can potentially impact ibuprofen integrity.
Tips for storing ibuprofen in a car
To help prevent heat damage to your ibuprofen when leaving it in a car:
- Keep medicine in the glove compartment or console rather than the cabin, which gets hotter.
- Wrap or cover tablets and capsules to protect from moisture.
- Avoid keeping ibuprofen in the car for more than a day or two.
- Check liquid medications for signs of cloudiness or separation, which may indicate breakdown.
- Avoid parking in direct sun whenever possible.
- Consider getting a sunshade to help keep the interior cooler.
Can degraded ibuprofen make you sick?
It’s unlikely that slightly degraded ibuprofen left in a hot car will cause serious harm if taken. The main risks are:
- Reduced effectiveness – More breakdown means less active medication remains, which may make it less effective against pain and fever.
- GI irritation – Some degradation byproducts may irritate the digestive tract, especially in people prone to ulcers.
- Toxicity – Large doses of significantly degraded ibuprofen may potentially have increased toxicity.
However, noticeable symptoms are not expected with small, short-term losses of potency. Still, degraded medications are essentially defective products and are not recommended for use.
Signs your ibuprofen may be degraded
Check your ibuprofen pills, capsules, or liquids for the following signs of potential degradation after leaving them in a hot car:
- Tablets look discolored, powdery or cracked
- Capsules feel sticky or leaking
- Medicine smells different, usually harsh/vinegar-like
- Liquid is dark, cloudy, or has particles
- Liquid has separated into layers
- Medicine tastes different, usually bitter
- Tablets crumble easily
If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to discard the ibuprofen and get a new supply. Don’t take chances with medications that may have been compromised.
Does degraded ibuprofen lose potency?
Yes, heat degradation causes ibuprofen to lose potency over time. The active drug breaks down into inactive compounds, so the stated dose on the label becomes less accurate. For example, an 800 mg tablet left in a hot car for a week may only contain 600 mg of active ibuprofen after some degradation.
One study tested degraded ibuprofen tablets by dissolving them and measuring how well they inhibited inflammation and pain signals in human cells. The heated tablets were significantly less potent based on these pharmacological tests, confirming degradation leads to real losses of therapeutic activity.
Can you restore degraded ibuprofen?
Unfortunately, there is no way to reverse the breakdown of ibuprofen once it has started. The chemical changes from hydrolysis are permanent, so degraded medication cannot be restored to its original potency. Throwing away compromised medicines is the only option.
Does heat affect all medications?
Yes, excessive heat can potentially degrade many types of medications, not just ibuprofen. However, some drugs are more sensitive to heat than others. For example:
- Liquid medications are most vulnerable.
- Capsules tend to be more stable than tablets.
- Some heart medications degrade quickly in heat.
- Insulin and antibiotics require temperature control.
- Aspirin breaks down faster than ibuprofen.
The drug package insert or pharmacist can provide information about proper storage temperatures and precautions for specific medications. But as general guidance, it’s wise to protect all medicines from getting overheated in hot vehicles.
Conclusion
Leaving ibuprofen in a hot car can lead to faster degradation of the active drug over time. Excessive heat causes the ibuprofen molecules to break down into inactive compounds, reducing the medication’s potency. While small losses may not be dangerous, the risks include reduced effectiveness, stomach irritation, and potentially increased toxicity if heavily degraded. Keeping ibuprofen out of hot vehicles whenever possible helps prevent this heat damage. Check for signs of degradation and discard medicines if you suspect they may have been compromised by heat.
