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ask the pharmacist
|  |  | by Mona Fanous
R.Ph., B.Sc.Phm.
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Medicine Cabinet Cleanup
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The new year is the time we traditionally think about making changes. Stopping the old and creating the new. But have you ever thought about your medicine cabinet? This is the perfect time to let go of some simple old things, which may inspire you to do more letting go.
It’s important to look through your medicine cabinet to decide what stays and what goes. Here are some simple steps to ensure that you have a safe, effective medicine cabinet.
If you have expired medications or you’re not quite sure what, when, or if you should be using any products, simply bring them in to your PharmAssist™ pharmacist to review your medications.
Store medication safely
• Keep all medicines from the reach of children and pets
• The medicine cabinet in your bathroom is actually the worst place for medicine. It’s too warm and damp. Storing medications in warm humid conditions may contribute to their deterioration. Keep medicines in a cool place away from light (e.g. a box that can be locked or high on a shelf)
• Refrigerate medication only if labelled. Unnecessary refrigeration may change the stability and consistency of the medication
• Keep medicines in the original labelled container to know what’s in the bottle, the date and how to use it
• Keep caps closed tightly on all medications whether prescription or not to avoid spillage
| • Do not store medicine with food or household products especially if there are a number of people in the household including children.
Dispose medications safely
• Take all medicines you have removed to your pharmacy for safe disposal
• Do not throw medicines in the garbage as children or animals may get to it
• Do not flush medicine down the toilet; it’s harmful to the environment
Home medicine cabinet necessities
• The prescription medication your doctor has prescribed for you
• Pain and fever relief (acetaminophen if you have children; do not give ASA or aspirin to children unless doctor recommended)
• Thermometer. Normal, average body temperature is usually 37°C (98.6°F) but can vary by 0.3°C (0.5°F) to 0.6°C (1°F). A rectal or ear reading is 0.3°C (0.5°F) to 0.6°C (1°F) higher than an oral reading. An armpit reading is 0.3°C (0.5°F) to 0.6°C (1°F) lower than an oral reading
• Medicine spoon or oral liquid syringe to measure medicines properly. Household spoons are not accurate enough
H&L
For questions you would like answered by a Pharmacist professional please write to the  |
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