Medicine Storage Mistakes You Might Be Making (and How to Do It Right)
Medicines play a significant role in maintaining our family’s health. Whether it’s vitamins, cold medicine, cough syrup, fever medicine, or maintenance drugs, every Filipino household has a small stock of medicines at home. However, many of us often overlook the importance of proper medicine storage.
VidaCure Pharmacy shares the following common medicine storage mistakes that you might be making and how you can easily fix them.
1. Refrain from storing medicines in the bathroom or kitchen.
Mistake: Many people store their medicines in the bathroom cabinet or near the kitchen sink because it’s convenient. People can easily grab them when needed. But here’s the thing — these are actually some of the worst spots! According to Medline Plus, heat and humidity can break down the active ingredients in medicines, making them less effective.
Think about it — when you take a hot shower, the bathroom fills with steam and moisture. The same thing happens in the kitchen when you’re cooking; the temperature rises, and the air becomes humid.
What to do: Transfer your medicines to a cool and dry area like your bedroom cabinet, a dresser drawer, or a dedicated medicine box. You might also want to consider placing silica gel packets near your medicine storage area to help control moisture and humidity. Just make sure that it doesn’t touch the medicines directly.
2. Keep medicines away from windows or under direct sunlight.
Mistake: It’s common for many individuals to leave their medicines on window sills, tables near the windows, or car dashboards. While it may seem harmless, exposure to direct sunlight can break down the active ingredients of most medicines. This can make tablets, capsules, syrups, inhalers, and even topical medicines lose their potency or even render them ineffective. For instance, medicines that contain hormones — such as birth control pills, certain antibiotics, and chemotherapy drugs can lose their strength or stop working properly if they’re kept outside their ideal storage temperature.
What to do: Keep medicines in shaded areas away from direct light. Avoid placing them on window sills or near appliances that emit heat. It’s also important not to leave medicines inside your car, especially during hot days. Temperatures inside vehicles can rise quickly and exceed 40°C.
3. Always make it a habit to read the medicine label.
Mistake: Medicine labels include vital information such as dosage instructions, storage requirements, expiration dates, and possible side effects. Not reading the label can lead to mistakes like taking the wrong dosage or storing medicines incorrectly.
For example, some medicines need to be stored in the refrigerator, while others should be kept at room temperature. Failing to follow these directions can cause the medicine to lose its effectiveness.
What to do: Always check the label for notes like “Store in a cool, dry place” or “Keep refrigerated”. Follow dosage instructions as prescribed by your doctor, and check their expiration dates. Never take medicines that look discolored, have changed in texture, or smell unusual.
It’s important that you buy your medicines from trusted and licensed pharmacies to ensure you’re getting safe and quality products. VidaCure, a Philhealth GAMOT-accredited pharmacy, guarantees that all its medicines meet the standards set by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
4. Teach children about medicines and store them out of their reach.
Mistake: Kids are naturally curious, and they can mistake colorful tablets for candy or syrup bottles for juice. Leaving medicines on tables, countertops or low cabinets can lead to accidental ingestion – one of the most common home emergencies involving kids. Even vitamins can be harmful to a child when taken in large amounts. Children’s bodies are smaller, so even a little dose meant for adults can cause side effects.
What to do: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises the public to educate children about what medicine is and why only trusted adults must give it to them. Use simple words they can understand – for instance, tell them that medicine is not candy, even though it looks colorful or tastes sweet. Explain that medicines help people feel better when they’re sick, but taking them without permission can make them very sick instead.
In addition to raising awareness, prevent accidental ingestion by keeping all medicines in a high cabinet or a locked box that kids cannot reach. Always close bottles tightly after use, and never leave medicines unattended — even for a few minutes.
5. Avoid mixing different medicines in one container.
Mistake: Some people combine different pills in one container to save space or make things “easier.” Although this is convenient, it can sometimes lead to confusion, contamination, or a medication mix-up.
What to do: It’s best to keep medicines in their original packaging because it contains important information such as the name, dosage, and expiration date. If you must use a pill organizer for daily use, make sure to refill it directly from the labeled containers. It’s also advisable to keep the containers nearby for reference.
Final Thoughts
Even the best medicines won’t do their job if they’re stored the wrong way. By avoiding these common medicine storage mistakes and following simple fixes, you can make sure your family’s medicines stay safe, effective, and ready for use.
Make it a habit to go through your medicine cabinet every few months. Dispose of any medicines that are expired, damaged, or no longer needed. You might be surprised how many expired and half-used medicines are still lying around!
When it comes to your family’s health, don’t take chances — store your medicines properly, and get trusted and quality medicines from VidaCure.