12/29/2025
Your EMS drug box has been sitting in a hot, humid ambulance for months.
But how stable are the meds inside?
Are they still effective when you need them the most?
A new study from Thailand tested just that, and the results might surprise you. 🚑💉🔥
📊 Study Summary:
This 12-month prospective study looked at Epinephrine, Amiodarone, and Atropine stored in EMS drug boxes in real-world tropical EMS conditions (average temp: 86°F / 30.1°C, humidity: 72%).
📦 More details on the meds:
◆ Carried on 450 EMS missions
◆ Stored at 77.4 °F / 25.2°C inside the drug box on average
◆ Tested every 3 months for pH, color, sediment, and concentration
🧪 Key Findings:
✅ Epinephrine lost only 4.2% potency (from 100.1% → 95.9%)
✅ Amiodarone dropped 6% (107.7% → 101.7%)
⚠️ Atropine degraded the fastest: 7% drop (105% → 98%)
No visible changes in color, sediment, or pH for any drug
All drugs stayed within USP standards (