How long can penicillin be stored after preparation?
Sep 26, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Generally speaking, penicillin can be kept at room temperature for half an hour after preparation and up to 4 hours if stored in the freezer. Penicillin is an antibiotic; patients must strictly follow medical instructions when using this medication to avoid adverse reactions. Additionally, it is important to use the prepared solution promptly to ensure optimal drug efficacy.
Generally speaking, after penicillin is prepared, it can be stored at room temperature for half an hour and up to 4 hours if frozen. The detailed explanation is as follows:
1. Storage for Half an Hour
Penicillin, also known as Penicillin G, is a type of antibiotic. This class of drugs includes Penicillin V, Methicillin, Ampicillin, Piperacillin, etc., and is primarily administered via intravenous injection. Penicillin is a sterile preparation; once opened, its effective duration is approximately half an hour. After preparation, it should generally be used immediately. If not used completely, it may react with substances in the air and lose its intended therapeutic effect.
2. Frozen Storage for 4 Hours
Once prepared, penicillin can usually remain stable for up to 4 hours when stored frozen at temperatures below 0°C. Freezing helps prevent contamination from airborne particles, allowing short-term storage. However, if stored longer than 4 hours or for extended periods, the drug's potency may decrease or it may become ineffective. Therefore, even under frozen conditions, storage beyond 4 hours is not recommended.
Penicillin is an antibiotic. Patients who require this medication must strictly follow medical instructions for proper use to avoid adverse reactions. Additionally, it is important to use the prepared medication promptly to ensure optimal efficacy.
