When Did You Last Check Your Medicine Cabinet?
Many people keep old medicine at home. You may think, “It is probably still good.”
Old medicine may not work as well as it should. Having lots of medicine bottles can also make it easier to take the wrong one by mistake.
Taking a few minutes to check your medicine can help keep you and your family safe.
Step 1: Check the Expiration Date
The expiration date tells you how long a medicine should work if it is stored the right way.
After that date, the medicine may:
Not work as well
Become weaker
Be damaged by heat or moisture
Be less helpful in an emergency
Good to Know
After you open a bottle, the medicine may not last as long as the date on the package says. Some liquid medicines made by the pharmacy also expire sooner. Always follow the date on the pharmacy label.
If you have an emergency, an expired rescue medicine may be better than no medicine at all. This includes an inhaler, an epinephrine pen, or nitroglycerin. Use it if you need it, then call 911.
Step 2: Store Medicine the Right Way
The bathroom is not always the best place to keep medicine. Heat and steam from showers can damage some medicines.
Keep medicine:
In a cool, dry place
Away from sunlight
Outside the bathroom if you can
Where children and pets cannot reach it
In a locked box or high cabinet if possible
Do not leave medicine in a car. Cars can get very hot or very cold.
Step 3: Look at the Medicine Before You Use It
Check your medicine before you take it.
Call your pharmacist if the medicine:
Changed color
Is cracked or broken
Looks cloudy when it should be clear
Smells strange
Do not use eye drops or medicines you inject if they are cloudy, changed color, or have pieces floating in them.
Some Medicines Need Extra Care
Insulin
Keep unopened insulin in the refrigerator.
Most insulin can stay at room temperature for about 28 days after opening, but some are different.
Check the label or ask your pharmacist.
Never use insulin that has been frozen or left in direct sunlight.
Nitroglycerin Tablets
Keep them in the original brown glass bottle.
Keep the lid tightly closed.
Do not move them to a pill box or another container.
Liquid Antibiotics
Some need to stay in the refrigerator.
Follow the directions on the label.
Throw away any medicine left after the number of days on the label. This is often 10 to 14 days.
Eye Drops
Throw them away when the label says to.
Do not let the tip touch your eye, fingers, or anything else.
Other Injections
Follow the storage directions on the pharmacy label.
How to Throw Away Old Medicine
Most medicines should not be flushed down the toilet.
1. Use a Medicine Take-Back Program
This is the safest choice.
You can often find a take-back box at:
A pharmacy
A police station
A community take-back event
Some places also have mail-back envelopes. Ask your pharmacist where to find one.
2. Some Medicines Should Be Flushed
A few medicines should be flushed if you cannot use a take-back program. These are usually very strong pain medicines that could seriously harm or kill a child or pet after just one dose.
Examples include:
Fentanyl patches
Oxycodone
Morphine
Methadone
Buprenorphine
Check the label or ask your pharmacist before flushing any medicine.
3. Throw It in the Trash
If there is no take-back program and the medicine is not on the flush list:
Take the medicine out of the bottle.
Mix it with used coffee grounds, dirt, or cat litter.
Put the mixture in a sealed bag or container.
Throw it in the trash.
Cover or remove your personal information from the empty bottle.
Make It a Habit
Check your medicine cabinet two or three times each year.
Check expiration dates.
Throw away medicine you no longer use.
Keep only the medicine you need now.
Update your medicine list.
Bring your medicine list to doctor visits.
Pharmacy Tip
Cleaning out your medicine cabinet is like checking the batteries in a smoke detector. It is a small job that can help keep your family safe.
Keeping only the medicine you use can help prevent mistakes and make sure your medicine works when you need it.
If you have questions about old medicine, storing medicine, or throwing medicine away, ask your pharmacist.
