Anyone ever heard that going thru scanner might lessen potency of nitro pills?

[BC]

Someone told me if my husband goes thru the scanner at the airport, empties his pockets in the tray to be scanned with his nitroglycerin tabs (heart patient) that he keeps at all times in his pocket, that it could change the potency of them. Anyone ever heard of or had a problem with this?

 

[Tara]

Someone told me if my husband goes thru the scanner at the airport, empties his pockets in the tray to be scanned with his nitroglycerin tabs (heart patient) that he keeps at all times in his pocket, that it could change the potency of them. Anyone ever heard of or had a problem with this?

Never heard that. This suggests that there is no basis for that claim:

http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/faqs/securityscreening.html

 

[OKW Lover]

I seriously doubt that the scanners would have any affect on your medication, but a read of the information sheet that comes with all medications should be definitive. If you don't see a warning on that sheet, then it isn't an issue.

 

[RMulieri]

. Light in general weakens nitro pills, hence the reason you are supposed to keep them in a cool ,dark place.Xrays or radiation also can de-nature them quicker

 

[michelleiada]

I have never heard this and I am a nurse. That doesn't mean that there is no truth to it though. Perhaps you may want to pose this question to your cardiologist the next time you see him/her. You might also ask your pharmicist. I would think that it would be listed in the written information that the pharmacy gives you when you pick up your pills, especially due to the nature of this medication.

 

[RMulieri]

I have never heard this and I am a nurse. That doesn't mean that there is no truth to it though. Perhaps you may want to pose this question to your cardiologist the next time you see him/her. You might also ask your pharmicist. I would think that it would be listed in the written information that the pharmacy gives you when you pick up your pills, especially due to the nature of this medication.

I am a nurse too ( never heard this)and My husband is a pharmacist and said that xrays and radiation de-natures and de-stabilizes the nitro pills faster, making them less -effective over time.