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Single Use Travel Pack of Aspirin |
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North (Generic) or Swift (Generic) Brand Aspirin 325 Milligrams Aspirin per tablet (same as 5 grains USP) , 2 tablets per packet
Each packet is a small travel size and is individually labelled (though you may need reading glasses to read the fine print - see sidebar) .
Analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory product for temporary relief of minor aches, pains and fever. Caffeine and sodium free. Packet weight: ~ 1.6 grams
We check all packages to make sure you have at least 6 months before printed expiration date. Most have 1 year to 2 year periods, but it varies with each shipment.
This presents a hurdle for those of us creating long term disaster survival kits. The food we place in the kits can last 10-25 years when properly packaged. We want the medicines to have similar durability.
It is important to differentiate between the printed expiration date AND true shelf life. Many medicines can have longer shelf life than that printed on the package.
The printed expiriation date is the date beyond which the manufacturer cannot guarantee the strength and potency of their product. In most cases this is a worst case scenario. The manufacturer cannot control the storage of the item after production. Factors are highly variable, how much light, moisture or temperature changes their product might be exposed to vary greatly. Manufacturers are generally very conservative, posting short expiration dates. Plus - manufacturers have a financial incentive to sell more - the early expiration dates "build in" repeat business.
If a medication undergoes prolonged and varied exposure to light, air and moisture, the active ingredients in the product react, rendering a change in the drug's potency. For example when aspirin is stored in a typical bathroom medicine cabinet, it is exposed to frequent cycles of high humidity and slow drying periods. The prolonged exposure to moisture in the air makes the active ingredient in aspirin convert to acetic acid, which is why old aspirin smells like vinegar.
When building a disaster survival kit - consider these factors and properly store your kit, in a cool, dark, dry place. Keep and reuse packs of Silica Gel that come with new products - use them in your kit to control moisture. If possible vacumm seal products in your survival kit (see sidebar).
If properly stored, most off the shelf medicines can have extended life. In a true disaster, it is better to have access to a properly stored , yet expired medication rather than nothing at all.
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