Curing a simple cold or finding relief from a headache can be more difficult for an astronaut in space than on the ground. According to a study by scientists at NASA's Johnson Space Center and published in the journal of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists , the effectiveness of drugs such as pain relievers and antibiotics decreases in outer space . Research suggests that the main cause could be the continuous dose of radiation aboard spacecraft . Furthermore, the efficiency would be affected by vibrations, microgravity, the richness of carbon dioxide and variations in temperature and humidity.
The researchers analyzed four boxes containing 35 different drugs, which were transferred to the International Space Station and then sent back to Earth. Four other identical boxes were kept under controlled conditions at the Johnson Space Center. Several of the products tested showed lower power after storage in space. This reduction in the effectiveness of flight samples occurred before the expiration date of many drugs, suggesting that storage conditions influence their stability.
