How to Store Medicines Safely at Home

Medicines are tested to work well under specific storage conditions. When they are kept in the wrong place, they may lose strength, change in appearance or even become unsafe. In Bengaluru, with its humid monsoon months, storage needs a little extra attention.

Read the label first

Every pack mentions how it should be stored. Common instructions include:

• Store below 25 degrees Celsius or below 30 degrees Celsius
• Store in a cool, dry place
• Protect from light and moisture
• Store in a refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius
• Do not freeze

When in doubt, ask your pharmacist.

Choose the right spot

Many people keep medicines in the kitchen or bathroom, but these are often the worst places because of heat and steam.

• Use a closed cupboard or drawer in a bedroom or living room
• Keep away from direct sunlight, the stove, the fridge's back panel and windows
• Avoid storing medicines in a car or two-wheeler storage box
• Keep them high up and out of reach of children and pets

Monsoon and humidity

Moisture is a major enemy of tablets, capsules and powders. During the rainy season:

• Keep tablets in their original strip or bottle until it is time to take them
• Close bottle caps tightly and leave any silica gel sachet inside
• Do not transfer tablets into loose plastic boxes for long periods
• Check for warning signs such as tablets that are soft, crumbling, discoloured, sticky or smell unusual, and capsules that are swollen or stuck together
• Keep powders and effervescent tablets especially dry

If a medicine looks or smells different from usual, do not use it. Show it to your pharmacist.

Insulin and cold-chain medicines

Some medicines, including insulin, certain vaccines, some eye drops and a few injections, need refrigeration.

• Store unopened insulin in the main body of the refrigerator at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, not in the freezer or right against the cooling plate
• The door shelf is less stable in temperature, so a middle shelf is better
• Never use insulin that has been frozen, even after it thaws
• Once in use, many insulin pens and vials can be kept at room temperature (usually below 25 to 30 degrees Celsius) for a limited number of days, as stated on the leaflet
• When travelling, use an insulated pouch or cool pack, but do not let insulin touch ice directly
• During power cuts, keep the fridge door closed as much as possible

Liquids, drops and creams

• Write the opening date on syrups, eye drops and ear drops
• Many eye drops should be discarded about four weeks after opening, unless the label says otherwise
• Reconstituted antibiotic syrups for children often need refrigeration and must be used within a few days, as directed
• Close tubes and bottles tightly after use

Check expiry dates regularly

Go through your medicine box every few months. Set aside anything that is expired, damaged or no longer needed. Do not use expired medicines.

Disposing of old medicines safely

Do not throw medicines loosely into the dustbin where children or animals may find them, and avoid flushing them unless the label says so. Ask your nearest pharmacy whether they accept unused medicines. If not, mix tablets with used tea leaves or soil in a sealed bag before disposing of them.

A final reminder

Good storage protects both your health and your money. If you are unsure whether a medicine is still safe to use, please consult your pharmacist or doctor before taking it.