In this blog, we will discuss how to store your medications properly with methods that keep them fresh and ready to use when you need them most.
Why Is Storing Medication So Important?
It’s not often that we stop to think about how our medications are being stored; however, keeping them in the wrong conditions can be hazardous to our wellbeing.
- Do you remember to keep medications cool or stored in the fridge if they require refrigeration?
- Do you keep medicines in a bathroom where a shower can cause the temperature to rise or expose them to moisture?
- Do you leave medications on a kitchen on a countertop or window sill where they can be exposed to direct sunlight?
- Do you leave medications in a vehicle, purse, or gym bag that can be left in direct sunlight or in an environment that can reach extreme temperatures?
No matter which forms your medication comes in (i.e., capsules, tablets, liquids, creams, etc.), one common feature that all medications share is a need to be stored appropriately to maintain safety, integrity, and potency.
Whether at home or on the road, you must know how to store your medications safely. Here are a few helpful tips from our pharmacy team.
General Tips for Safely Storing Medications
Consider Temperature
Many medications should be stored at room temperature and in a cool, dry place, like a dresser drawer or closet. Some require refrigeration, like certain antibiotics. Check with your compounding pharmacist to see at which temperature your specific medications should be stored.
Tip: Store refrigerated items like antibiotics in coolers if necessary but make sure they don’t freeze! Check the label for information about temperature and storage options.
Avoid Sunlight
Make sure your medications are stored in areas away from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can raise the medication’s temperature and directly interact with the medicine, making it less potent.
Make Arrangements for Mail-Order Medications
Make sure someone can pick up and store the medication as soon as possible if it needs refrigeration. Pharmacies that ship prescriptions will take the storage temperature into account when packaging medications, but most prescription drugs should not be left outside of a mailbox or in another location for too long.
Prep Your Car
Store your medicines in the car’s climate-controlled area, not in the trunk or glove compartment. Keep refrigerated medications safe by using a cooler with ice bricks if necessary, but do not freeze them. Never leave medications or supplements in a parked car, which can heat up to extreme temperatures on a hot day.
Travel Safely
It is best to keep medications with your carry-on items t to avoid them being lost or damaged. For added safety measures, if you must store drugs with check-in baggage, it is helpful to keep a list of all medicines with you as you travel.
Talk with a Pharmacist
If you are unsure how to store your medications properly, remember to check with your medical provider and/or compounding pharmacist. Our pharmacy team is always here and can answer questions about safety and use.
Send us your questions or make a note to discuss this with us during your next call or visit to our pharmacy!
Connect with Us
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Innovation Compounding at 1-800-547-1399, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, excluding all major holidays.
Medical Disclaimer This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or take the place of such information or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Innovation Compounding, Inc. nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any medication, nutritional supplement, diet, or health regimen. Innovation Compounding does not make or intend to make any claims to efficacy or safety of compounded products for specific conditions or disease states, as compounded products are not FDA-approved for these conditions.
