Where do you keep your pills? Do you store them in the bathroom cabinet just like everyone else? Or perhaps you stock them in your kitchen cabinet (so you can easily get a glass of water with it)?
Most people put their medicine in those storage spaces for safekeeping. But, what they don’t know is that those areas aren’t actually the best spots for keeping medications. Why? Well, those areas are usually humid and are often exposed to bouts of heat (either from cooking or from taking a hot shower). Both of which can cause your pills to spoil before their expiry date.
Secure your medication in the right storage conditions to extend their shelf life.
For starters, you should…
- Keep it in a dry area.
Moisture can do a lot of damage to your pills. It can trigger a chemical reaction and change the way your medicine is supposed to work. It can also meld your capsules (or tablets) together and prevent you from getting the right dose.
In some cases, it might even cause your medication to grow molds! You could get sick from taking bad medicine, so make sure you keep your medicine bottles in a dry area to keep them safe.
- Prevent it from being accessible to small children and pets.
Kids and animals are fairly curious creatures. If they see you put something in your mouth, they will most likely want a taste of it, too. Chips, snacks, candies… you name it, they want it.
While we may fondly share our meals with our little ones, pills, on the other hand, are another matter. If they manage to get hold of medication for an adult dose, they could suffer serious health complications.
- Protect it from direct heat.
Just like moisture, heat has an adverse effect with medication, too. It could shrivel the capsule of your pill, leave them to crack, or cause them to discolor. If you have noticed these changes in your medicine, under no circumstance should you attempt to take them. Medicines are tested for efficacy at regulated temperatures and excess exposure to heat not only reduces their efficacy but it can also be dangerous to consume. Never leave your medication in a car especially in sunshine state like Florida.
- Store it according to instructions.
Check the labels. While most medication is to be kept in a cool, dry area away from direct light, other medications have special storage requirements. Some of them may need to be refrigerated while others require to be discarded once opened. Make sure you always comply with these instructions. Otherwise, you would be putting your health in danger.
If you have some concerns about the right way to store your medicine, you can consult with a friendly pharmacist from Brandon Pharmacy. As an excellent community pharmacy in Brandon, Florida, you can count on the kind of service we deliver.
We may be a humble drugstore in Florida, but we offer compounding services, vaccinations/immunizations, prescription refills, and FREE DELIVERY! Isn’t that great? Why don’t you drop by our store today? We’ll be happy to be of service to you! Just let us know how we can help!