Reliable stabilization of the pharmaceutical preparation and the active ingredient remains one of the most important problems of world pharmacy because pharmaceutical preparations are not systems which are stable without limitation. The patient must receive a quality drug and that is why the question of stability is paid grest attention to not only in research and development, industrial manufacture, but also in distribution. The measure of stability is the expiration period. Diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) still belongs to the most widely used and at the same time the most easily accessible disinfectants. In practice it is common both in Slovakia and abroad. It is used in several concentrations. One of its most important disadvantages is its limited stability, which markedly decreases its expiration period. The present paper investigates the stability of hydrogen peroxide solutions of routinely used concentrations (3%, 6%, and 10%) without and with a stabilizing additive (phenacetin) prepared in the pharmacy and stored under different conditions for the period of their expected usability. The content of hydrogen peroxide was assayed by the pharmacopoeial method in 7-day time intervals. All concentrations of 3%, 6%, and 10% hydrogen peroxide were found to fulfil the conditions for stability in the period of time under study. Their concentration did not fall below the limit od 90% of the content of the active ingredient, and storage under decreased temperature proved to be more suitable. Storage of hydrogen peroxide in the light is inadmissible. When the conditions of storage are observed, the required therapeutic effect of hydrogen peroxide solution can be expected for the period of three months.
In a sealed container, hydrogen peroxide lasts approximately 3 years. However, as soon as you open the container, it starts to break down. You might be surprised to learn that it’s only effective for 1 to 6 months once the container is opened.
Under normal conditions, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is extremely stable, with proven losses of less than 1% per year under ambient conditions. The decomposition of peroxide hydrogen produces heat and oxygen, and even abnormal decomposition of the peroxide is easily managed by properly designed product storage and handling systems. An increase in the temperature promotes the decomposition as well as a higher pH value.
As a result of the stabilizers, which are usually added to our commercial grades in ppm amounts, our hydrogen peroxide is protected against unavoidable impact during handling and has an excellent shelf life. With normal handling and cool storage, and when the necessary precautionary measures are observed, the losses of hydrogen peroxide are very slight even during extended periods (years) of storage.
Excellent shelf life of hydrogen peroxide The shelf life of hydrogen peroxide is negatively affected by impurities of every type even when some of these impurities are present in very low concentrations (ppm quantities). The decomposition can be induced homogeneously by dissolved ions with a catalytic effect. Heavy metals like iron, copper, manganese, nickel, and chromium are especially effective here. Hydrogen peroxide is also decomposed through the effect of UV-light as well as by certain enzymes (catalase).
pH level of hydrogen peroxide for optimum stability The property of hydrogen peroxide to decompose exothermally in the presence of certain catalytically acting impurities, with the formation of oxygen gas and water is very important for handling during storage as well as during chemical reaction. Decomposition is indicated by the development of gas and – with only slight removal of heat – by rise in temperature.
Save citation to file Format:
- Create a new collection
- Add to an existing collection
Name your collection: Name must be less than 100 characters Choose a collection: Unable to load your collection due to an error
How to Tell if Your Hydrogen Peroxide is Still Effective
FAQ
Does hydrogen peroxide go bad or expire?
How long does it take for H2O2 to degrade?
How stable is hydrogen peroxide?
What is the shelf life of hydrogen peroxide 50%?
How long does hydrogen peroxide last?
In a sealed container, hydrogen peroxide lasts approximately 3 years. However, as soon as you open the container, it starts to break down. You might be surprised to learn that it’s only effective for 1 to 6 months once the container is opened. To ensure it lasts as long as possible, store hydrogen peroxide in a cool, dark place.
How fast does hydrogen peroxide decay?
A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution stored at room temperature under normal conditions can be expected to decay at a rate of 0.5% per year. Once you break the seal, it should be used as soon as possible because when you expose a peroxide solution to air, it starts to break down into water more rapidly.
Does hydrogen peroxide deteriorate over time?
Both pure hydrogen peroxide and the compounds that contain it meet these requirements. The compound must be stored exactly as instructed, regardless of how concentrated it is. Over time, hydrogen peroxide’s effectiveness decreases. In fact, it begins to deteriorate even before you open it.
How is hydrogen peroxide stored?
Hydrogen peroxide is a reactive oxygen species and the simplest peroxide, a compound having an oxygen–oxygen single bond. It decomposes slowly into water and elemental oxygen when exposed to light, and rapidly in the presence of organic or reactive compounds. It is typically stored with a stabilizer in a weakly acidic solution in an opaque bottle.