3 Amazing Tips to Store Your Prescribed Medications Safely

You cannot find a single house where there is no sign of prescription medications, vitamins and over-the-counter medications at all. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 46% of the people in the United States take prescribed medicines in any month.

Keep in mind that medicines can harm us physically if we take them at the wrong time. Not only that but also the effect of the medicines become less effective if we do not accurately store them. Undoubtedly, medication safety is extremely important to prevent overdoses, adverse drug events and fatal outcomes.

It would be great if you get suggestions from your dispensing provider about how to store your medicines and when to take them properly. However, we have shared a few effective tips on how you can store your medications.

• Store the Medicines Appropriately

Do you know that cold, heat and light can damage medicines and also, decrease their effectiveness? Due to this reason, you should store the medications properly. You must store all the prescribed medicines in a dark and cool place. Do not try to keep the medicines in your bathroom storage unit because humidity and high temperature can ruin the potency of the medicines.

Also, you should keep the medications in the original container, not some fancy boxes. You should also eliminate the cotton inside the medicine right after you open it. Keep in mind that cotton can affect medicine by absorbing moisture.

• Check the Expiry Day Carefully

We all know that every packaged item has an expiration date and we must purchase the product before it expires. If any medicine expires, you should throw it away because an expired medication is less effective and poses health risks.

Researches have shown that tablets and capsules have a longer shelf life compared to ointment and liquids. You should check the expiry date of the stored medications regularly and dispose of them before taking them during an emergency.

• Keep the Medicines Safe While Traveling

You must keep the medicines out of direct sunlight, extreme temperature and moisture during flying or driving. Don’t forget to pack the sensitive medications in the bag or cabin of the car.

Also, keep the medicine in an extremely cool area that requires refrigeration. If you have to take various medicines daily due to your physical condition, make sure to ask your dispensing provider about the storing procedure. In case you want to learn more about this, contact us at PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals.

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.