It is important to store your medicines safely. Doing this can prevent theft or accidental poisoning. Here are seven tips for storing your medicine safely.
Store in a cool, dry place.
Avoid kitchens and bathrooms. They tend to be humid.
Remove the cotton.
If there is cotton in the bottle, throw it away. Once you open the bottle, the cotton can affect your medicine.
Lock it up.
Prevent your children, friends and relatives from misusing your medication by securing your medication in places they cannot access. They can be secured in a medication lockbox, locked cabinet, locked closet, or out of reach.
Don’t share.
Sharing your prescriptions with friends and family is dangerous for their health and it is illegal.
Get rid of leftovers.
You can get rid of unused medicines through a “drug take-back program.” Ask a pharmacist near you, or find a location on the DEA Drug Take Back Day.
Follow the directions for disposal.
Some medicines have special instructions for disposal. Always follow the instructions.
Questions? Ask your pharmacist.
If you don’t know how to store your medicine, ask your pharmacist. Some pharmacies have mail-back programs and disposal kiosks for unused medicines.
Learn more
- How to Get Rid of Medicines article from Healthwise
- Collection Site Locator for DEA National Take Back Day