Does Iodine expire?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Does Iodine expire?
No, Iodine does not expire. It can be used for a long, long period of time to dress your wounds or to treat infectious skin conditions. This element has been used for centuries and will continue to serve its purpose.
Iodine can be kept for much longer if it is the only element present in the formulation. Some iodine-containing antiseptics may expire, especially when a lot of other chemicals are incorporated into them.
These formulations usually have an expiry date and they may go bad after the date has been passed. So make sure you have iodine and not a mixed preparation. In the case of mixed preparation, you have to make sure that the product has not expired yet.
Some chemicals may start to irritate your wound or skin if they have gone bad. Iodine, however, would do no such thing no matter how long it has stayed on the shelf. You still have to make sure to store it properly or else it may lose its effectiveness over time.
Does Iodine lose its efficiency if not stored properly?
Yes, Iodine may not expire but it may lose its effectiveness if you have not stored it properly. If we specifically talk about Iodine tincture, it consists of Iodine in two forms (elemental and combined with sodium), water, and ethanol.
It will not expire as the formulation does not contain anything that can go bad. However, if you leave the bottle open and the preparation is constantly exposed to the environment, then some of your Iodine may evaporate and the formulation loses its strength.
Not just this, leaving the container open would also cause the evaporation of ethanol, which is highly volatile. If we talk about other types of Iodine solutions, they may also lose their strength and infection-fighting properties if they are left open.
Another thing that may happen to a mismanaged Iodine solution is contamination. If the container is left open or if you use it improperly, there’s a chance that you might contaminate the solution on your own. Once contaminated, it slowly changes the effectiveness of the entire solution (1).
How to store Iodine properly to preserve its effectiveness?
There are a few things that you need to understand about storing any Iodine containing solution. Before that, you have to make sure that you’re buying an undamaged product.
Sometimes, you may end up accidentally purchasing an item with defective packaging. Some of the important points include (2):
- When buying an Iodine solution, make sure the bottle is in perfect condition. If the cap of the bottle is cracked, do not purchase that bottle.
- If you have accidentally purchased a defective piece and have not opened it yet, go back to the pharmacy and ask your pharmacist to replace it.
- Once you’re done with using the Iodine solution, make sure you close the cap tightly.
- Do not leave the contaminated applicator in the bottle if you’re using one.
- If you have had an Iodine solution on your shelf for a long time and you’re not sure if to use it or not, check its consistency and colour. If it is gooey, has lumps, or has dry patches on the side of the bottle, do not use it. If it is in perfect consistency, it’s safe to use.
- If you have an Iodine solution that has been left open for a while now, do not use it, especially on open wounds.
- Make sure you do not change the container of the Iodine formulation. It needs to be stored in an amber-coloured bottle to avoid degradation caused by sunlight.
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References
1.-
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- International Programme on Chemical Safety. Iodine. In: INCHEM [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; c2021. [cited 2022 Sep 26]. Available from: https://inchem.org/documents/pims/pharm/iodine.htm
2.-
Mayo Clinic. Iodine (Topical Route): Proper Use. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2022. [cited 2022 Sep 26]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/iodine-topical-route/proper-use/drg-20064375
