Ideal Relative Humidity for Pharmaceutical Storage
The ideal relative humidity for pharmaceutical storage is generally between 35% to 60%.
What happens if humidity is too high?
High moisture accelerates the chemical degradation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). It also compromises capsule shells, causing them to become sticky or deformed, and promotes microbial growth.
What happens if humidity is too low?
Extremely low humidity can cause gelatin capsules to become brittle and shatter. It can also cause effervescent tablets to lose their potency or crumble prematurely.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is USP <1079>?
- It is a set of guidelines from the United States Pharmacopeia that dictates how temperature and humidity should be monitored and mapped in pharmaceutical storage warehouses.
- Do blister packs protect pills from humidity?
- Yes, high-quality aluminum blister packs provide a nearly perfect moisture barrier, which is why sensitive medications are often packaged this way instead of in bulk bottles.