Why should glyceryl guaiacolate not be mixed until just before use?

Glyceryl guaiacolate is a medication commonly used as an expectorant in veterinary medicine. It is important not to mix this compound until just before use because it tends to precipitate out of solution when stored. Precipitation indicates that the drug may not remain uniformly distributed in the solution over time, which could lead to dosages becoming inconsistent. If the medication solidifies or forms deposits, the clinical efficacy can be compromised when the drug is administered, potentially resulting in inadequate therapeutic effects.

The other options, while they may pertain to different medications or compounds, do not specifically describe the behavior of glyceryl guaiacolate in solution. Therefore, focusing on the issue of precipitation provides insight into the proper handling and preparation of this medication, ensuring that its effectiveness is maintained for patient treatment.