Your Medicine Cabinet

What can be one of the worst places to store medication? If you said the bathroom cabinet - you're right. That may be where many of us keep medicine. But the bathroom is the place most likely to get hot and humid because constant baths and showers put a lot of moisture in the air. Those kinds of conditions can affect medicine over time.

The American Pharmaceutical Association (APA) says that instead, consumers should use:

• a cool dry cabinet in some other room of the house
• a location that is out of direct sunlight
• a cabinet that can be locked and/or is out of children's reach

Even if you don't have children living with you, young grandchildren or friends' children might visit. That's why proper storage and the use of childproof caps are so important. (Read about "Childproof Home")

Although you want to keep medicine in a cool place, APA says you should not keep medicine in the refrigerator unless specifically instructed to do so by your doctor or pharmacist.

Check the dates

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it's also very important to go periodically through your medicine and discard any that are out of date. Medication can lose its effectiveness over time. If a medication is past its expiration date, you can either flush it down the toilet and dispose of the bottle safely or bring it to a pharmacist and ask him or her to dispose of it. Even if a medicine isn't past its expiration date, if it has changed colors or developed an unusual odor, discard it.

Original containers

Make sure you keep all medicines in their original containers. The FDA suggests that you save all printed information that comes with the medications, too. And whenever you buy medication, either prescription or over-the-counter, ask your doctor and pharmacist about:

• the best way to store it
• the best time(s) of day to take the medicine
• whether to take it with food or on an empty stomach
• possible side effects
• potential interactions (Read about "Drug Interaction Precautions")

In addition, the APA says you should not chew, crush or break any capsules or tablets unless instructed to do so by your doctor or pharmacist. Some long-acting medications are absorbed too quickly when chewed. And finally, if a medication seems to be causing any unusual symptoms, you should contact your doctor right away.

Related Information:

    Medication and Digestion

    Children & Prescriptions

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