Zeelab CEO Flags 5 Signs of Heat-Damaged Medicines, Urges Pack-Based Storage

Q: How can you tell if expensive injections like Wegovy have lost potency when invisible heat damage leaves absolutely no trace?

You usually cannot tell by looking. With heat-sensitive injections such as Wegovy, semaglutide can lose potency after exposure to excessive heat while the liquid still appears clear and normal. Visual checks may catch obvious contamination, particles or discoloration, but they do not reliably detect invisible heat damage. The practical test is the product’s temperature history, not its appearance. For Wegovy, manufacturer guidance says pens should generally be refrigerated at 36–46°F (2–8°C) before use, protected from light, and not frozen. In the U.S., unopened single-dose pens may be kept below 86°F (30°C) for up to 28 days. If a pen was exposed to temperatures above that limit, left in a hot car, near direct sun, or if you cannot confirm how warm it got and for how long, pharmacists and regulators generally advise treating it as compromised. Refrigerating it again does not restore lost potency. The risk is usually reduced effectiveness rather than a visible warning sign, though contamination concerns can also rise if handling conditions were poor. The safest response is to contact the dispensing pharmacy, manufacturer, or prescriber with the exact exposure details and ask whether it should be replaced. If the pen looks cloudy, discolored, or contains particles, do not use it. But if heat exposure is the concern, the key point is that a normal-looking pen can still be weakened, so chain-of-custody and storage records matter far more than appearance.

1 articles · Updated · Hindustan Times · Aug 25

Five warning signs can indicate medicines have been damaged by heat or humidity: discoloration, swelling or cracking, softened or sticking tablets, changes in a liquid medicine’s color, smell or consistency, and unexpected particles.
Rohit Mukul, founder and CEO of Zeelab Pharmacy, said the risk is especially relevant during monsoon humidity and advised storing medicines strictly according to package instructions, away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture.
Visibly compromised medicines should not be consumed without consulting a pharmacist or healthcare professional, he said, because unsuitable storage can affect quality before the expiry date.
Mukul also said temperature control across the supply chain matters, arguing that safe storage before medicines reach consumers is essential to preserve quality.