The bathroom may seem like the logical place to store medicine. After all, you spend time there every morning, it's private and it provides access to water for taking pills. But just because it's the most convenient place to store medication doesn't mean it's ideal.
When prescription and over-the-counter medicine isn't stored properly, it may not be as effective. If the location isn't secure, it also poses a potential threat to children, pets and others living in the house.
According to a 2021 study in the journal Innovations in Pharmacy, only 35% of people store all of their medications appropriately. The most common issues? Moisture, temperature and potential risk of accidental exposure for children.
Here's what you need to know when deciding where to store medication:
How to store medication safely
Medication is sensitive to environmental factors and can be affected by:
- Light
- Moisture
- Temperature
The wrong environment can trigger chemical reactions and break down active ingredients. Those changes can reduce the medicine's potency before the expiration date. According to the Food & Drug Administration, an expiration date indicates when the drug will still deliver the expected "strength, quality and purity." Not all drugs past their expiration dates are harmful — though chemical changes in some expired medications can cause adverse side effects.
So where should you keep medication? A cool, dry place is best, which makes the bathroom one of the worst spots in the house. As a small room, the heat and humidity from hot showers and baths can quickly threaten any drugs located there.
The kitchen is another common place where people keep medicine. But it can also be a bad location if the medication is anywhere near the stove, sink or hot appliances.
Ideally, store medication packages and bottles out of sight, such as in a dresser drawer, hallway cabinet or storage box. If you have children, make sure the location is child-proof.
Leave medicine in the container it came in, which can protect pills from light and lists the expiration date. However, remove any cotton balls from medicine bottles immediately — they attract moisture.
Signs that medicine has gone bad
Medicine that is damaged or past the expiration date may not be effective. It can also grow harmful bacteria that make you sick.
If your medication is damaged or has gone bad, it may:
- Change in color
- Change in texture or firmness
- Crack or chip
- Have a smell
- Stick together
If you suspect your medicine is no longer good, but it is still within the expiration date, bring it to your pharmacist. They can evaluate the medicine and help you identify what might've happened.
How to get rid of old, damaged or unused medicine
Dispose of any medicine that has expired, gone bad or is no longer needed. But be sure to do it safely. Medication should only be flushed if it is on the FDA Flush List.
There are several safe options for getting rid of medication:
- Drop it in a drug take-back box or kiosk if one is available at your pharmacy.
- Look for a community drug take-back program or event in your area.
- Mail it back in a prepaid drug mail-back envelope, which may be provided by your pharmacy or can be purchased at retail pharmacies and online.
- Throw it away, but first mix it with something that makes it unusable, such as dirt, coffee grounds, or cat litter, and seal it in a plastic bag.
If you are throwing away a prescription medicine container, black out or remove any personal information on the label to protect your identity.
