By: Anthy Tran, Pharm.D.
How and where you keep your medication can make a big difference when it comes to medication safety. According to the CDC, two million people end up in the hospital due to drug-related injuries every year. These injuries might include medication errors, adverse drug reactions, allergic reactions or overdoses. Safe and secure storage of your prescription medicine can help avoid accidental injuries. Additionally, ensuring medications are stored appropriately is essential for their effectiveness.
Where to Safely Store Medications
Proper storage begins with choosing the right location. Prescriptions and
over-the-counter medications should always be stored in a locked cabinet or high shelf. This is to prevent children and pets from accessing and accidentally ingesting the medications. Another overlooked factor is organization. When medications are scattered throughout the home, it becomes difficult to track expiration dates, distinguish one bottle from another, or monitor who is taking what. Experts recommend keeping medicines in their original containers, which provide essential information such as dosage instructions and expiration dates. A designated storage area also helps caregivers quickly identify which medications need refilling or safely discarding.
The Importance of Climate Control
Climate control is also very important when it comes to medication storage and all medications have various storage requirements. In general, most medicines should be stored at room temperature between 59 to 77°F in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. There are some drugs that require refrigeration and must be kept between 36 to 46°F. Both excessive heat and cold can have a significant impact on how well prescription and over-the counter medications do their job. Therefore, it is important that medications are never stored in the car due to the varying weather conditions.
Dispose Responsibly
Disposal is another essential part of the process. Unused or expired medications should not linger in cabinets for years. Instead, patients are encouraged to take advantage of drug take-back programs or community disposal kiosks. If these options aren’t available, mixing medications with undesirable substances like coffee grounds before discarding them can reduce the risk of misuse.
Consistency Is Key to Medication Safety
Ultimately, safe medication storage doesn’t require complicated routines. It simply calls for awareness and consistency. By storing medicines appropriately, households can reduce risks, protect vulnerable family members, and ensure that critical medications remain effective when needed. Have a question about medication storage? To speak to one of Oklahoma City Indian Clinic’s pharmacists, please call (405) 595-3100.
