Can Suprep Be Refrigerated?
Prepping for a colonoscopy can be a scary process, or at least a bit of a hassle. This is especially true if you’re taking an over-the-counter medication or preparatory substance for the operation and you’re not sure how to store it. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with the answer to the question: “Can Suprep be refrigerated?”
SUPREP® Bowel Prep Kit is osmotic laxative oral solution. It contains sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate and magnesium sulfate.
The Osmotic laxative, Suprep, is intended to clean out the colon so that a colonoscopy can be as smooth as possible; therefore, it is important to store it correctly. Suprep should not be refrigerated; in fact, the best way to store Suprep is by keeping it in an area away from bright lights or any moisture, at room temperature.
In this article, we’ll help you learn the answer to the all-important question, “can Suprep be refrigerated?” We’ll discuss why this is so important, and we’ll also answer some other frequently asked questions that might be weighing on you before using Suprep. By the conclusion, you should have peace of mind about using this laxative!
Can Suprep Be Refrigerated?
Anything you put in your body, which is a delicate but complex makeup of moving parts, should be carefully examined. Storing foods and medication alike at the correct temperature can be the first step on the road to safely consuming something.
Suprep is no different from a cut of meat or an over-the-counter medication; if stored improperly, it can definitely make you sick. Therefore, you should be very aware of the correct answer to the question: “Can suprep be refrigerated?”
As mentioned above, technically Suprep can be refrigerated. However, it is not recommended. Suprep should be kept in a dark, dry area where the air is at room temperature instead of a cool refrigerator.
“Room temperature” technically just means a temperature that human beings are comfortable in. That may sound vague; let’s narrow it down a bit by looking at the Oxford English Dictionary’s well-researched conclusion! It defines room temperature as around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why Suprep Should Be Kept at Room Temperature
Technically, Suprep is made up of a complex range of sulfates that help a bowel movement to occur. These include the following:
- Potassium sulfate
- Magnesium Sulfate
- Sodium Sulfate
Sulfates are actually just a type of salt mineral, coming in several types but originating in the same group, usually drawn from natural origins. However, some can be man-made. With that being said, most sulfates are created as a reaction to natural decay in nature or the interaction between certain materials, like steel worked with at a mill.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, when sulfates like sodium sulfate interact with the intestine, that intestine decides to take in more water than it normally wood. When this happens, the resulting stool is softer, making a bowel movement much easier.
This is important before going into a colonoscopy, which is why laxatives like Suprep use sulfates as an ingredient. However, it is important to remember that sulfates are minerals which are naturally found in the world at large.
If your Suprep sits too long in a refrigerator, which is full of cool, damp air, it’s sulfate ingredients can absorb that dampness, which may make it less effective in creating easier bowel movements when you ingest it.
This is why you should stick to the instructions provided by Suprep’s manufacturers, often found on the packaging: store Suprep in a safe, dry area with little to no light and a mild, room temperature!
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for more information about Suprep, how to store it, and even how to use it? We have the answers to related questions listed below!
Can you chill colonoscopy prep?
As previously mentioned, it is generally not advisable for colonoscopy prep substances to be kept in a refrigerator over long periods of time as a method of chilling. This is because the longer the active ingredients are exposed to cool, wet air in a refrigerator, the more likely they are to be less effective.
Still, you can add some ice to the water your colonoscopy prep calls for just before you drink it for ease of swallowing and expect similar results.
Does Suprep taste better cold?
Some online sources recognize the alarming taste of Suprep as it goes down and recommend chilling it. As long as the product doesn’t linger in the fridge, and is instead quickly mixed with ice, taking it cold can deaden some of the unpleasantness of drinking it.
What temperature should Suprep be stored at?
As long as moisture is not an issue, as it may be in a refrigerator, the actual temperature you keep your Suprep in has a wide, easy range. This is between 59 degrees Fahrenheit and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
The article you are reading right now is just one of many articles that we have on our website, and we encourage you to check out other articles as well like Can Snickerdoodle Dough Be Refrigerated?, How Long Do Grapes Last In The Fridge? and How To Remove Stains From Stainless Steel Refrigerators
In Conclusion
To sum it all up, Suprep can be refrigerated, but because of the danger of the active ingredients being deadened by refrigerator moisture and the instructions given by the manufacturers, it should not be refrigerated. Instead, we recommend chilling the mixture moments before drinking with ice. This way, the medication still works without being as unpleasant to drink!
