Short answer: Store Elestrin and Evamist at room temperature, 68-77°F (20-25°C), with excursions allowed to 59-86°F (15-30°C). Evamist also says do not freeze. Throw away an Elestrin pump after priming and 30 doses, and an Evamist applicator after 56 sprays, even if not empty. Both contain alcohol and are flammable until dry. Sources: both labels, section 16.2 and patient leaflets.
Elestrin, section 16.2: “Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].” The Elestrin Patient Information has no storage section; the carton repeats the temperature and says the container is not child-resistant.
Evamist, section 16.2: “Store at room temperature 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursion permitted between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Do not freeze.” Its Patient Information adds: “Safely throw away medicine that is out of date or no longer needed.”
| Question | Elestrin gel 0.06% | Evamist spray |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 68-77°F (20-25°C); excursions 59-86°F (15-30°C) | 68-77°F (20-25°C); excursions 59-86°F (15-30°C) |
| Freezing | Not stated | Do not freeze |
| Refrigerator | Not stated | Not stated |
| Container | 35 g metered-dose pump; delivers 26 g as 30 doses of 0.87 g; 2 pumps per carton | 8.1 mL glass vial with metered-dose pump; 56 sprays of 90 mcL after priming |
| Priming | Until gel comes out; throw that gel away | 5 sprays with the cover on, once per new applicator |
| When to throw it away | After priming and 30 doses | After 56 application sprays |
| Flammable | Yes, until the gel has dried | Yes, until the spray has dried |
Elestrin Patient Information: “After you have initially primed the pump and have used a total of 30 doses of ELESTRIN, you will need to throw the pump away and use a new one. The correct amount of medicine in each dose cannot be assured after 30 doses have been used, even though the pump container is not completely empty.” Gel pumped out while priming is thrown away in the trash so that another person or a pet cannot touch, eat or drink it. After each use, the spout goes into the locked position and the cap goes back on.
Evamist Instructions for Use: “Do not use your EVAMIST applicator for more than 56 application sprays even though the bottle may not be completely empty. You may not get the correct dose.” Put the cover back over the cone before throwing the applicator away, to prevent accidental exposure to other people or pets.
See Elestrin side effects, Evamist side effects, the Elestrin and Evamist dosing schedules, missed an Elestrin dose, and the EstroGel and Divigel gels.
Both are room-temperature products, so they need no ice pack. Keep them in your carry-on, within 59-86°F (15-30°C), and out of a hot car; keep Evamist from freezing. Both contain alcohol: the labels say avoid fire, flame or smoking until the gel or spray has dried.