Why storage matters
Medicines are made to stay effective only under certain conditions. Indian summers can be very hot, and the monsoon brings high humidity, both of which can weaken tablets, make capsules sticky and spoil syrups. A damaged medicine may not work properly when you need it. Poor storage also causes many accidental poisonings in children, who can easily reach tablets left on tables or in handbags.
The right place at home
Most medicines should be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, usually below the temperature printed on the label. The kitchen and bathroom are often the worst places because of heat and steam. A closed cupboard in a bedroom, high up and away from windows, is usually better.
Keep medicines in their original strips or bottles with the label and leaflet. This helps you check the name, strength and expiry date, and avoid mix-ups between family members. Cutting strips into single tablets or pouring pills into unlabelled boxes makes mistakes much more likely, especially for elderly people who take several medicines each day.
Inhalers, insulin pens and glucose test strips are also sensitive to heat and moisture. Keep test strips in their closed container, close bottle caps tightly after use, and do not remove the small moisture-absorbing packets placed inside some medicine bottles.
Medicines that need the fridge
Some medicines must be kept refrigerated, such as insulin that is not in use, some eye drops, certain antibiotic syrups after mixing, and some vaccines. Store them in the main part of the fridge, not in the freezer or the door, and never let them freeze. Insulin in use may often be kept at room temperature for a limited time; follow the label or your pharmacist's advice. During power cuts or travel, ask your pharmacist how to keep these medicines safe.
Keeping children and others safe
Children are curious and many tablets look like sweets. Iron tablets, sleeping pills, BP and diabetes medicines, and even paracetamol can seriously harm a child in small amounts. Elderly family members with memory problems can also take the wrong medicine by mistake.
- Store medicines up high and ideally in a locked box
- Never call medicine 'sweets' when giving it to children
- Put medicines away immediately after use
- Remind visitors to keep bags containing medicines out of reach
- Save the local emergency and poison helpline numbers on your phone
Checking expiry and signs of damage
Look through your medicine box every few months. Expired medicines may be less effective, and some can become unsafe. Also look for changes before the expiry date: tablets that are discoloured, crumbling or smell unusual, capsules that are soft or stuck together, creams that have separated, and liquids that are cloudy or have changed colour.
Eye drops, some syrups and creams have a shorter life once opened, even if the printed expiry date is far away. Write the opening date on the pack with a marker and follow the label. Mixed antibiotic syrups for children, in particular, usually have a short usable period and some need the fridge.
Disposing of medicines safely
Throwing old medicines loosely in the dustbin or flushing them down the toilet can harm children, animals and the environment. Antibiotics released into water and soil add to antibiotic resistance. Ask your local pharmacy or hospital whether they accept old medicines for safe disposal, as some do.
- Do not flush medicines unless the label specifically says so
- If there is no take-back option, mix tablets with used tea leaves, soil or other waste in a sealed bag before throwing away
- Remove or scratch out personal details from labels
- Return used needles and insulin pens in a hard, closed container as advised by your clinic or local body
Travel and special situations
When travelling, keep medicines in your hand luggage with a copy of the prescription, and avoid leaving them in a hot car. Carry enough for the whole trip. People with diabetes, epilepsy, asthma or heart disease should keep a list of their medicines and conditions with them. If you are unsure how to store or dispose of a particular medicine, consult a doctor or pharmacist for advice.
See a doctor urgently if
- A child who may have swallowed any medicine, even if they seem well
- An elderly person who may have taken extra doses by mistake
- Drowsiness, vomiting, breathing difficulty or fits after swallowing medicine
- Accidental needle-stick injury from a used needle
This article is general health information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or combine medicines on your own — always follow your doctor's prescription and ask your pharmacist if unsure.