Where you store your medicine can affect how well it works. Storing your medicines properly can help to ensure they work as they should, as well as prevent poisoning accidents. Our pharmacists recommend you store your medication according to the following Medlineplus.gov guidelines:
- Know that heat, air, light, and moisture may damage your medicine.
- Store your medicines in a cool, dry place. For example, store it in your dresser drawer or a kitchen cabinet away from the stove, sink, and any hot appliances. You can also store medicine in a storage box, on a shelf, or in a closet.
- If you are like most people, you probably store your medicine in a bathroom cabinet. But the heat and moisture from your shower, bath, and sink may damage your medicine. Your medicines can become less potent, or they may go bad before the expiration date.
- Pills and capsules are easily damaged by heat and moisture. Aspirin pills break down into vinegar and salicylic acid. This irritates the stomach.
- Always keep medicine in its original container or the container it was dispensed in.
- If applicable, take the cotton ball out of the medicine bottle. The cotton ball pulls moisture into the bottle.
- Ask your pharmacist about any specific storage instructions, such as if your medication requires it to be refrigerated or frozen.
Keep children safe.
- Always store your medicine out of reach and out of sight of children.
- Store your medicine in a cabinet with a child latch or lock.
Damaged medicine may make you sick. Do not take:
- Medicine that has changed color, texture, or smell, even if it has not expired
- Pills that stick together, are harder or softer than normal or are cracked or chipped
For more information, please visit Medlineplus.gov (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000534.htm) or give us a call at 833-466-3979 and ask to speak with one of our pharmacists.
“Storing Your Medicines: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2022, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000534.htm