How should medications in my house be used and safely stored?
Posted on 6/25/2001
by Carrie Sorenson, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist
The best place to store medicines may not be the first one that comes to mind.
If you are storing your medications in the bathroom medicine cabinet, you may want to reconsider and store them instead in a kitchen cupboard, safely out of reach of children, and in a dry area. While the bathroom medicine cabinet may seem like the most logical place, it’s not always the best choice, particularly since medications become unstable in humid environments and lose their potency.
For every medication you receive, it’s important to read storage requirements listed on the label. Unless otherwise specified, most medicines can be safely stored at room temperature.
It’s also important to keep medicines in their original containers. Some medications, such as nitroglycerin, are sensitive to light. If you remove them from their containers, they degrade and are no longer potent.
Proper Use of Medication
Prescription medications should be taken as prescribed and for as long as directed by your physician. yet some people do not always comply with doctor’s orders.
If you have ever taken an antibiotic, you know how tempting it is to stop taking it once you start feeling better. That’s a common mistake people make and one that could delay recovery. If you don’t finish the course of antibiotics, the infection may recur and the bacteria may become more resistant to the antibiotic.
Don’t stop taking a medication if you experience side effects. It’s important to discuss side effects with your doctor so that he or she can help you find a solution. Because of potential drug interactions, you should also notify your physician if you start taking new products, for example, herbal or vitamin supplements.
Discard Expired Medications
If you are like a lot of people, you may open your cupboard where your medications are stored to find a collection of partially filled bottles. Be aware these medications do expire.
Medications dispensed in vials by your pharmacist usually are considered expired one year from the date they were dispensed. These medicines are often purchased in bulk and can lose their potency. Medications dispensed in their original containers, such as a tube of ointment, list the expiration date.