Ask the Pharmacist
By Christy Wiebe, Pharm. D.,
St. John's Pharmacies


Medicine Cabinet Maintenance: Keeping your medicine cabinet safe and well-stocked

From your school days, you probably recall the famous “Three R’s”—Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic. Now, when it comes to maintaining your medicine cabinet, the American Pharmacists Association encourages you to remember three more important “R’s”: Review, Remove, and Restock. The following advice and information will help ensure that your household medicine supply is safe and well prepared.

REVIEW Your Medicine Cabinet Annually

At least once a year, check your medicine cabinet for outdated drugs and products that have noticeably changed from their original color, form, and/or smell. For example, throw away pills that are crumbly or smell strange, and dispose of hydrogen peroxide that no longer bubbles when used as a disinfectant.
Also, use this opportunity to evaluate how and where your medicines are kept. As a rule, most medicines should be stored in a cool, dry, childproof location away from direct sunlight. Heat and humidity can affect the stability of many medicines and may decrease their potency over time. This means that, although popular, the bathroom and kitchen are not ideal places for keeping medicines. Consider storing your medicines in a hallway closet or in the bedroom, and always out of children’s reach. Some medications require special storage conditions like refrigeration. Always check the package or label for storage instructions, and when in doubt, consult your pharmacist.


REMOVE Expired Medicines

Expired drug products should be thrown away since they may not work as well and occasionally may even be harmful. Also, remove medicines that are missing a label or the label is unreadable. “Guessing” at the name of a medicine or its instructions can be dangerous! Trash is better than sewer. To protect children and animals, break up capsules and crush tablets, then put remains back in original container
with child-resistant cap. Tape up and double-bag before tossing.

RESTOCK Basic Items

It is always wise to be well prepared, especially when it concerns the health of you and your family. Stocking some basic items in your medicine cabinet may help ensure speedy relief and recovery, and might even help you avoid a trip to the doctor.
 

Keeping Your Doctor and Pharmacist Informed

Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all the medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications and “natural” products. If you are already taking other prescription drugs, be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start a new OTC product. Some OTC medicines can interact with prescription drugs and may not be wise choices for you. For example, people who take warfarin should avoid aspirin and Motrin unless directed by a physician. People with high blood pressure should be careful about using decongestants for more than a few days. Most antihistamines can cause drowsiness and should be avoided while driving or operating machinery. And remember that your medicines are your medicines—don’t share your prescriptions with other friends or family members. Your medications could interact with other OTC or prescription drugs that another person is taking, or they could cause unexpected side effects, allergic reactions, or even worsen someone else’s medical condition. If you think friends or family members need medication, consult a physician instead of offering them your prescription drugs.


The following is a list of some suggested basic medicines to keep on hand:

Pain relievers/fever reducers—e.g. Tylenol (acetaminophen), Motrin (ibuprofen), aspirin
Anti-inflammatory drugs—e.g. Motrin (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen)
Antihistamines, for allergies and itching—e.g. Claritin (loratadine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
Decongestants, for stuffy nose—e.g. Sudafed (pseudoephedrine)
Cough suppressants—e.g. Robitussin DM (dextromethorphan)
Antidiarrheals—e.g. Imodium (loperamide)
Antacids, for indigestion—e.g. Maalox, Mylanta
Heartburn medicine—e.g. Zantac (ranitidine), Pepcid (famotidine)
Anti-nausea medicine—e.g. Dramamine (dimenhydrinate or meclizine)

It is also important to keep basic first-aid supplies in your medicine cabinet, including:

Bandages
Antiseptics
First-aid ointments
Gauze
Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
Cotton balls and swabs
Scissors
Tweezers
Thermometer