A lot of people keep their pill bottles in the bathroom cabinet or near the kitchen sink.
Do you place your medicine near those areas too?
While it may be more convenient to stash medicines in these places, they’re not always the ideal option.
This is because placing your medication in those areas could expose them to certain elements and change their chemical composition. In effect, this could render the drug ineffective for your treatment. Other times, it might even pose a hazard to your health.
When storing meds, always remember to:
1. Put them out of reach of children and pets.
Children and animals alike are awfully curious little beings. They like to tinker at objects that catch their interest. Other times, you might even see them placing certain objects in their mouths! If you aren’t careful, they could mistake your pills for candies or treats. Even chewing on just one pill can put their health in danger, so make sure you keep your pill bottles out of plain sight.
2. Leave them on a dry area.
Placing your medication in the bathroom or kitchen could expose it to the moisture and fumes (from cooking or bathing). This can create a chemical reaction. Moisture can disintegrate a pill’s form or cause them to stick together. Either way, this will prevent you from taking an accurate dosage.
3. Place them away from direct heat and sunlight.
Just like moisture, light and heat can do a number of effects on your meds too. A chemical reaction can also occur and change the property of your pills. You won’t be getting the most out of your medication’s therapeutic effect if that happens.
4. Keep the cap tightly sealed.
While you might not necessarily keep your pills in the bathroom or sink, the humidity of the air could still affect them. If you don’t close the lid tightly, that is. Just to be safe, make sure you double-check how tight the cap is before putting it away.
5. Remove the cotton balls in your pill bottles.
Have you always wondered why there are cotton balls in there? Well, here’s the big reveal. The cotton balls are used to keep the pills from moving around and breaking when it is transported. However, once you open the bottle for use, you should remove the cotton balls because they attract moisture.
6. Ask a pharmacist, when in doubt.
The storage instructions for different medication are usually listed in their bottle or leaflet. In most cases, medication will only need to be stored in a cool and dry area. However, there are medications with special requirements too. For example, certain antibiotics and insulin vials need to be kept in a refrigerator to prevent them from deteriorating.
If you have concerns about the right storage solution for your prescription, you can always ask a friendly pharmacist from Healthy Delivery Pharmacy. They will gladly take care of you and your concerns!
Why don’t you come and visit us today?