As the American population ages, the need for and use of medications increases. According to reports in Health: United States 2008, 20 percent of all Americans—and 60% of those age 65 or older—use three or more prescription drugs regularly. The Slone Survey of 2006 revealed that 82% of adults in the United States take at least one medication (either prescription or over-the-counter) on a routine basis. This widespread use of medication heightens the focus on medication safety.
Though media attention is often directed toward side effects, drug interactions, and medication errors, there is another aspect of drug product safety that it is important to consider.
This component of safe medication use relates to proper storage and handling of drugs and supplies. With regard to keeping medicines safe, there are three major considerations: storage and stability, identification, and disposal.
Storage and Stability of Medications
Keep all medications—prescription and over-the-counter—out of reach of children, pets, or mentally altered or impaired adults. If you have children, make certain that medications in your home are equipped with childproof caps and are never left unattended at a level accessible to small fingers (or paws).
Select a cool, dry place to store medication away from direct sunlight. Though many bathrooms are equipped with "medicine cabinets," these can be poor places for medicine storage. Bathroom moisture and heat levels are often high and can cause medicines to dissolve or degrade. Storing meds over the sink also increases the chance of losing a dose in the drain. A small upper cabinet in the kitchen, however, can be ideal. The height will ensure it is out of reach of most children, and, as long as it is not directly over the stove, the cabinet should remain cool and dry.
For medications requiring refrigeration—typically indicated by your pharmacist or pharmacy label—select a child-safe area within your refrigerator that maintains consistent temperature. The door is not the best choice, as the repeated opening and closing of it may cause temperature variations.
Identification of Medication
If possible, when storing your medication, always use the original pharmacy container. Not only is this the legal requirement, it is your safest option. Mixing medications together in one large container can cause confusion and lead to double dosing or other med errors.
For older adults without children or pets, it is acceptable to use plastic dosage boxes with separate compartments for day of week or time of day. However, you should employ some sort of drug identification system for reference in case you forget or are unable to tell which medications are which.
- One option would be to leave one tablet in each original prescription bottle for visible reference.
- Another might be to photograph the front and back of each tablet, writing the name, strength, and expiration date of the medication on the back of the photo. The photos could then be kept in a small album.
- A third choice might be to record the name, strength, color, shape, and size of the tablet, taking care to include any imprinted codes and the expiration date on an index card. Then store the cards in a small file box.
Regardless of storage, it is a good idea to keep a list of your current medications handy.
If you find that you are unable to identify a medication, contact your local retail or hospital pharmacy. They may have access to drug identification databases.
Disposal of Expired or Unwanted Medications
Discard medications that are beyond the expiration date assigned by the manufacturer or pharmacy. Also discard creams, lotions, or liquids that have separated or crystallized.
Though it may be tempting to flush medication down the toilet, this is no longer considered safe, since medications have been known to leach into water supplies. However, some controlled substances have such high abuse potential that it is not safe to dispose of them by any other means.
It is acceptable to throw old medication into your household trash if you have taken pains to make them unusable and inaccessible to humans or pets. The FDA recommends removing the medication from its container and mixing it in with coffee grounds, cat litter, or other unappealing garbage. This mixture should then be placed into a sealed container and disposed of in the garbage can.
Many pharmacies and hospitals also have programs in place for the collection and disposal of medication. Local pharmacies or hospitals should be able to lead you in the proper direction.
Proper storage and disposal of medications is an important component of medication safety. By following these guidelines for use and storage, you can greatly reduce the chance of medication mishaps in your home.
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