Safe storage of medicines

With summer now upon us, it is important that we know how to keep our medicines safe
and effective in the warmer temperatures.

All medicines carry an instruction on the label advising that they must be stored below a
certain temperature. This is because some medicines lose their effectiveness when
stored above a certain temperature, and this can result in lost or reduced effectiveness.

Some even may change form and become difficult to use. For instance, gelatine
capsules may soften, ointments and creams may become runny, and suppositories may
melt.

If you are in an area of regular and prolonged high temperatures your medicines should
be stored in the coolest, safest place available.

Storing medicines safely is particularly important if you are travelling over the summer
months. Do not leave medicines in cars. Even in the boot, glovebox or console the
temperature in a car can exceed 50°C in summer which can affect the active ingredient
contained in medicines.

A slight reduction in the efficiency of pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol
may not present a major problem.

However, for patients taking medicines for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart
disease, epilepsy or anti-coagulant therapy, taking damaged medicine may mean that
management of the condition is reduced. This may lead to harmful consequences so
proper storage in a cool place is essential.

Medicines are also required to have an expiry date printed on the label, and while this
does not mean that after this date the medicine is suddenly useless or dangerous, it
does indicate that after the “expiry date” the quality and effectiveness of the medicine
cannot be guaranteed.

Some medicines, including some commonly used analgesics, produce unpleasant or
toxic products when they degrade. A common example is aspirin which breaks down
over time to acetic acid and salicylic acid. These components can cause stomach
irritation if people take the medicine after the expiry date.

Blister or foil-packed products are more likely to maintain their integrity than tablets or
capsules packed loosely in a bottle if they stored in below-optimum conditions for a
short time. For medicines you only use occasionally, it may be better value to purchase
smaller packs of blister-packed medicines, instead of larger pack sizes.

If you believe your medicine may have been exposed to higher-than-recommended
temperatures or may be out of date, speak to your community pharmacist.

It is also advisable to check with your pharmacist about storing your medicine in the
fridge as most medicines should not be stored at these temperatures.

If a medicine label says it should be stored in the fridge, it means the main
compartment, not the freezer. If your medicines accidentally freeze, they are almost
certainly unstable and therefore should not be used. Once again, check with your
pharmacist.

Most bathrooms have a “medicine cabinet” and so the natural tendency is to store
medicines in the bathroom, but this is actually one of the worst places to keep them.
Medicines should be stored in a cool, dry place and not a bathroom where the heat and
moisture from the shower, bath, and sink may damage them with the result they may
become less effective.

In general, it is important to try to store medicines away from heat, moisture and
sunlight. Most medicines should be stored below 25°C and they should never be left in
warm places such as in front of a window where the temperature can reach high levels.

People living in the tropics should store their medicines in a part of the house that is
cool and dry; for example in an airtight container in a dark cupboard. They should be
checked regularly to see that they remain dry, especially during the wet season.

And if you have to take your medicines while out and about, take with you only what you
need for the day, and leave the remainder at home. Your community pharmacy can
assist you with products to help you safely carry a few doses of a medicine; they can
advise on any storage, expiry or medicine stability questions; and they can dispose of
any expired or heat-affected medicines you may have.

Always check the label for storage instructions, and talk to your pharmacist if you have
any questions.