Community Alert: Power Outage and Your Medications

Storm Damage Causes Major Power Outages in KCK, Causing Concerns about Medications

Our hearts go out to everyone in KCK/Wyandotte County affected by this week’s storm. With nearly 5,000 residents still without power as of this weekend, we know many of our neighbors are facing uncertainty, including questions about whether their medications are still safe to use.

That’s why we’re sharing the following guidance, reviewed and approved by our pharmacists, to help you make informed decisions about your medications during this power outage. Please read before throwing anything away or skipping doses.

What you need to know if your medication lost refrigeration

With thousands of homes in our community still without power following the recent storm, many people may be wondering whether medications stored in their refrigerator are still safe to use.

Don’t automatically throw your medication away and don’t stop taking an important medication without talking to a pharmacist or healthcare provider.

The amount of time a medication can safely be outside of refrigeration depends on the specific medication, temperature, and length of time it was exposed.

INSULIN: DON’T STOP TAKING IT

Insulin is especially important during a power outage.

Many insulin products can be stored at room temperature (up to 86°F) for a limited period of time. For many commonly used insulin products, that period is up to 28 days, but the exact storage instructions vary by product.

If your insulin lost refrigeration:

• Do not freeze insulin. Frozen insulin should not be used.
• Keep insulin away from direct sunlight and heat.
• If possible, keep it below 86°F.
• If you have been without power for several days, do not automatically throw your insulin away.
• If the insulin was exposed to temperatures above 86°F, contact a pharmacist for guidance.
• If the insulin was exposed to temperature above 98.6°F or visibly altered, it should be discarded.
• If insulin is essential for you, do not simply stop taking it because it lost refrigeration. Contact your pharmacist or healthcare provider about whether it can continue to be used or whether you need a replacement.

Important: If patients have specific questions about the suitability of their insulin, they may call the respective manufacturer at the following numbers:

Not every refrigerated injectable medication becomes unusable after a few days without refrigeration.

For example:

Ozempic®

Ozempic can be kept at 59°F–86°F for up to 56 days after first use.

Wegovy®

Wegovy can be kept at 46°F–86°F for up to 28 days when necessary.

Other injectable medications have different requirements.

Don’t assume your medication is safe (or unsafe) based solely on how long it has been out of the refrigerator.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER REFRIGERATED MEDICATIONS?

Some medications require refrigeration, including certain:

• Injectable medications
• Biologic medications
• Liquid medications
• Specialty medications

Storage requirements are different for every medication.

Some medications can tolerate room temperature for days or even weeks. Others may lose effectiveness after a much shorter period.

If you’re unsure, call a pharmacist before throwing it away.

Have the medication bottle, box, or name available when you call. It is helpful to know:

1. What medication is it?
2. How long has it been without refrigeration?
3. Was it exposed to temperatures above 86°F?
4. Was it ever frozen?

WHAT SHOULD I DO RIGHT NOW?

If your refrigerator is still cold:

Keep the medication in the refrigerator and keep the door closed as much as possible.

If you have a cooler:

You can use a cooler with ice packs to help keep medication cold.

Do not allow medication to sit directly on ice or against frozen ice packs. Some medications can be damaged by freezing.

If your medication got hot:

Don’t assume it is ruined. Call your pharmacist and tell them the medication, approximate temperature, and how long it was exposed.

If your medication froze:

Call your pharmacist before using it. Freezing can permanently damage some medications.

DON’T KNOW? DON’T THROW IT AWAY.

The safety of a medication after a power outage depends on the medication + temperature + length of exposure.

Your pharmacist can help you determine what to do.

Have questions about a medication affected by the power outage?

Ask a Pharmacist at Pharmacy of Grace

www.pharmacyofgrace.org

Hours of operation:

Monday-Friday 8am-4pm

Kansas City KS

721 N. 31st Street, Suite 100
Kansas City, KS 66102
913-953-8260

Shawnee

11644 W. 75^th Street, Suite 104
Shawnee, KS 66214
913-985-6337

Again, you can also call the manufacturer to ask for guidance during our off hours (see number above.)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and community partners are actively coordinating storm recovery efforts. Here is how to get help or get involved:

Volunteers: Check in at Village Initiative, 3004 N. 27th Street, KCK. Volunteer hours are 9 AM to 7 PM daily. Skilled tradespeople and groups of 15 or more should check in at Kensington Community Center, 2900 State Avenue, KCK.

Donations: Supply and monetary donations are being accepted. Visit wycokck.org for current needs and drop-off information.

Full resource hub — updated daily: linktr.ee/afterthestormkck

Stay informed: wycokck.org Storm Recovery Updates

Red Cross and Pharmacy of Grace

Our own Stacy Tobin, Senior Director of Development and Community Outreach, spent this weekend serving alongside the American Red Cross as a volunteer, one of hundreds of community members who showed up to help Wyandotte County neighbors in need. We are proud to help our community in this time of need. Don’t hesitate to call on us with questions or concerns about your medications.