I’ve been guilty of not having the best setup for safe medicine storage. Recently, while rummaging through my first aid kit for some paracetamol, I found a few packages of expired meds and random pills floating about in the kit’s corners. It was only as I got older that I realized how harmful improper storage of medication could be. Properly storing your medications is important to ensure they function as they should and to avoid mishaps like accidental poisoning.
For example, some medications need to stay below a specific temperature, as going over can make them less effective or change their structure. Plus, using an expired medicine might not pack the punch it should. Also, when a drug breaks down, it can create harmful compounds that could make you sick. There are so many reasons to have a safe medicine storage system in your medicine cabinet!
Proper storage can also help you find medicine quickly in an emergency. When the right medications are in the right place, you’ll get what you need to start feeling better ASAP.
Safe Medication Storage: Don’t Let Your Medicine Go to Waste
Drug expiration dates show how long a medicine remains stable. When medications are stored correctly, they will keep their strength, quality, and purity.
Consider a FIFO (first in, first out) approach with expiration dates. This can help you avoid unnecessary purchases of new medicine packages if you already have one tucked away in the cabinet.
However, there are cases when some medications just slip through the cracks and expire before you can use them. In this case, they need to be disposed of safely. The best way to get rid of most unused or expired medicines (prescription and over-the-counter) is to take them to a drug take-back site (like a pharmacy).
If you can’t get to a drug take-back location, check if your medicine is on the FDA flush list. If so, that is a strong indication that you can safely flush it down the toilet. If it isn’t on the flush list, follow the label instructions on the product insert about throwing it away.
FAQ: Will taking expired medication harm you?
Most expired medications lose effectiveness but are not toxic. However, some can be harmful if taken when not fully potent, such as:
- Blood thinners
- Epinephrine pens
- Inhalers
- Insulin
- Nitroglycerine tablets
- Seizure and thyroid medications
General Safe Storage Conditions for Medications
While the optimal storage conditions of certain medications may vary, there are some general rules to follow for any type of pharmaceutical.
Keep medicines in a cool, dry spot, away from sunlight and moisture. Many people choose to store medicines in a bathroom, but it is important to make sure the bathroom isn’t hot and steamy. If your bathroom is small or has poor ventilation, consider other places, like a kitchen cabinet, a high shelf in a closet, or a dresser drawer in your bedroom.
For information on your particular medication, check the product information sheet.
FAQ: How should I store medications that need refrigeration?
Medications that require refrigeration should be kept in a separate compartment of the fridge, away from food. Ensure the temperature stays consistent and refer to the medication’s packaging or consult your pharmacist for specific storage instructions.
Organizing Your Medicine Cabinet: A Step-by-Step Guide 
Step 1: Remove all items from your medicine cabinet and check the expiration dates. Safely discard any unused medication.
Step 2: Group items in similar categories (keep like with like!). For example, prescription meds, over-the-counter (OTC) medication, vitamins and supplements, and first aid supplies.
Step 3: Clean the interior of the cabinet with disinfectant.
Step 4: On the medication packaging, write larger expiration dates with a Sharpie pen. Make sure you don’t cover any vital information, though.
Step 5: Sort your items into your containers/bins/dividers. Using clear containers can help with easier visibility.
Step 6: Label everything to help you quickly identify items. Use a label maker, masking tape, or a Sharpie pen.
Step 7: Keep items you use often at eye level or in the most accessible spot. Less frequently used items can be stored higher or lower in the cabinet.
Step 8: If you have young children, install safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers to prevent access to potentially dangerous items.
Step 9: Regularly check and reorganize your medicine cabinet every few months to ensure it remains tidy and that no expired items are present.
Organizing Your Medicine Cabinet: More Top Tips!
Use a High Cupboard
- To keep curious little fingers out of the medicine cabinet, make sure it is up high enough that they cannot reach. If this isn’t possible, use a child safety latch on the cabinet door. More on child safety tips further on in this article!
Use Jars or Mugs
- Store thermometers, toothbrushes, and tubes of cream vertically in a mason jar or a pretty mug.
Keep an Eye on Expiration Dates
- Use the FIFO system (First In, First Out) to make sure you use older medicines first.
- Write expiration dates on the lid or side of bottles with a permanent marker in big letters/numbers so they’re easy to see.
- Keep older medicines at the front and open bottles in order of expiration.
- Toss expired medicines (safely) as soon as you notice them.
Use Plastic Storage Bins with Labels
- Small, clear storage bins are great for grouping and labeling medicines. They’re easy to pull out when needed, especially if organized by type.
Use Small Containers to Divide Drawers
- Small, flat containers or drawer organizers help keep medicines in place within drawers. Clear acrylic dividers or metal baskets work well for sorting.
Consider a Spice Rack
- Hanging storage like a spice rack can be mounted inside closet doors to easily see everything at once.
- Other options include shoe storage organizers or wire racks that fit over doors, which are great for storing smaller packages and first aid supplies.
Use a Multi-Drawer Organizer
- A multi-drawer organizer can sort different categories of medicines and personal care items. Each drawer can be labeled for easy access.
Travel Tips: How to Safely Store and Transport Medications
Storing medication at home is one thing, but storing medication for safe travel is a whole different ballgame. In all travel scenarios, it is important to keep prescription medication in its labeled packaging to protect it from the elements and make it easier to inspect at security checkpoints. Some of our other top tips for safely storing medication for travel are:
Taking Medication in the Car
- Do not store medication in the glove compartment or trunk.
- Use an insulated lunch bag with a freezer pack for medications requiring refrigeration.
- Avoid leaving medications in a car overnight.
Taking Medication on an Airplane:
- Generally, traveling with prescription medication on planes is okay, but check the legalities for your destination country.
- Keep medications in a carry-on or personal bag for controlled climate conditions and accessibility.
- Use a small cooler bag with TSA-approved ice packs for longer flights or ask flight attendants for ice in a sick bag.
- Avoid leaving medications in checked luggage overnight.
Keeping Medication in a Hotel Room:
- Book hotel rooms with a refrigerator and confirm this before arrival.
- Check the fridge’s temperature upon arrival; some may not be suitable for biological medications due to energy-saving modes.
- Bring a cooler or bags of ice as a backup to keep medications cool.
Childproofing Your Medicine Storage: Safety First
Lastly, you don’t want to leave the “yummy tasting” cough syrup or the “pretty pink candies” where your kids could possibly take some unsupervised. While a bathroom drawer is convenient, it isn’t the best spot to keep medication away from little hands. To childproof your medication, try the following tips:
- Always keep medicine and vitamins in a cabinet where children can’t see or reach them above counter height.
- Install safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers where medication is stored to keep children from accessing medicines. Choose safety latches and locks that are easy for adults to install and use but strong enough to withstand pulls and tugs from children.
- If locking the cabinet is not an option, invest in a lock box to keep medication.
- Put medicine away immediately after each use, even if it needs to be taken again in a few hours.
- Store medicine out of children’s reach, even if another dose is needed soon. Ensure visitors’ bags, purses, and coats that might contain medicine are also kept out of reach.
- Save 1-800-222-1222 on your phone and post it visibly at home. This number connects you with poison specialists who can answer questions about medicine and help with emergencies.
FAQ: How do I know if my child is having a drug overdose?
Signs of a drug overdose in children can vary based on their age, weight, size, and the type and amount of medicine taken. Be alert for symptoms like vomiting, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, extreme drowsiness, unconsciousness, flushed or pale skin, drooling, dry mouth, convulsions, changes in pupil size, or a rapid heartbeat. Keep in mind this is not a conclusive list.
