Guide to cleaning out the medicine cabinet
Guide to cleaning out the medicine cabinet
Spring cleaning takes on an entirely new meaning when getting rid of expired or unsafe medicines. Even though people may be quick to toss out expired foods or cull ill-fitting clothes from their closets, few individuals exercise such diligence with their medicine cabinets.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that the medicine expiration date is critical when determining if a product is safe to use and will work as intended. Medications past their expiration date may not be as strong as intended, and even their chemical composition may change, making them risky to keep around.
Furthermore, having too many medications in a home — particularly pain prescriptions — can lead to misuse and abuse, as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration states that rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States have risen considerably in recent years.
“Over time, the chemical composition of medicine begins to break down and can make it less potent or potentially harmful. Medications that are past their expiration date may not be safe or effective,” said Dr. Adam Cox, internal medicine specialist at Conway Regional Medical Clinic-Prince St. “The environment where medicine is stored can influence its safety and effectiveness. It is important to properly store medications, avoiding factors like heat, air, light and moisture, ensuring that they last until their expiration date.”
Cox said that leaving medicines in the medicine cabinet when not being used increases the chance of misuse, either intentionally or unintentionally. If medicines are not needed or being used, he said, it is important to ensure that they are properly discarded.
The process of taking inventory and cleaning out medicine cabinets frees up space and creates a safe home environment.
• Dispose of any expired products, whether they are prescription or over-the-counter medicines. The best way to do so is to take the medication to a pharmacy for disposal, rather than throwing it in the garbage or flushing medicines down the toilet.
• Discard any unmarked containers or pill foils that are not in their original packaging.
• Test any medical devices, such as a nebulizer, blood-pressure monitor and glucose-testing equipment, to ensure that they are in working order.
• Replenish commonly used items, such as fever reducers or headache medicine. Make sure there is a supply of bandages and first-aid equipment on hand at all times.
• Relocate medical supplies to an area that isn’t high in humidity, as steam from showers can speed up the expiration of medication. Storing medicines in the refrigerator won’t help, as that is a highhumidity area, too.
Cox also said that mixing medications can result in interactions that pose health risks to individuals.
“The chances of these interactions increase with the number of medications a person is taking,” he said. “It is important to discuss any new medications, prescription or over-the-counter, with your physician to ensure their safety.”
For those taking multiple medications, Cox recommends using a medicine organizer, setting alarms and making an up-to-date list of medications, including dosage and frequency. He also said to check and double-check prescription labels to ensure that medications are being taken appropriately and to never adjust medication doses without consulting a physician.