Store your medications wisely

Is your medicine cabinet so full of pill bottles and other items that you’re afraid to open the door? If so, you may be dealing with more than clutter. Your medications may have become stale and might not work.

Showers and baths create heat and steam that can cause some drugs to weaken too soon. A cool, dark, and dry place is best for storing medicines. Follow these tips:

• Clean out your medicine supply at least once a year.
  
• Throw away out dated products, damaged containers, and old supplies. When a drug is past its expiration date, it might not work.
  
• Keep items in their original containers.
  
• Always keep containers tightly closed and away from children.
  
• Throw away the cotton inside the bottle. Keeping cotton in the bottle can draw moisture into the container.
  
• Check the expiration date each time you take a drug.
  
• Never use a medication that has changed color, consistency, or odor, regardless of the expiration date. Throw away capsules or tablets that stick together, are harder or softer than normal, or are cracked or chipped.
  
• Ask your pharmacist about storage instructions if you’re not sure what to do.