Safe Storage and Disposal of Medicine

Many people don’t think twice about where they store their medications, but proper storage is essential for safety and effectiveness. The right conditions can help preserve a medicine’s potency and prevent accidental ingestion.

Common mistakes when storing medicines include storing them in hot, humid places like the bathroom or linen closet, failing to keep them in their original storage containers, and storing them where children or pets can access them.

If you're not sure how a medication should be stored, check the prescription label or the package insert leaflet typically provided with your medication bottle. If you still have questions, contact your local pharmacy. Your pharmacist can provide valuable tips on how to store medications. Continue reading to better understand the proper storage of medications.

How to Safely Store Medication

Make sure to read the labels on your medication. Not only does the label explain how to properly take the medication and the dosage, but also includes medication storage recommendations. 

While different types of medications and various dosage forms, such as oral tablets, liquids, topical solutions, and suppositories, may have different storage requirements, general guidelines for medicine storage include:

• Keep medicines in a cool, dry place.

• Store them in their original packaging with clear labeling.

• Keep the medicine storage box out of reach of children and pets.

• Be mindful of expiration dates. Using expired medications, whether prescriptions or over-the-counter products, can be not only ineffective but also potentially harmful.

• Use proper medicine disposal methods.

Safe Places to Keep Medicines

• Limit access – Use storage baskets placed on a high shelf in a cabinet, accessible only to adults.

  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends storing medications in a locked cabinet, closet, or safe. You can buy medicine safes, but any storage with a lock can help ensure limited access. 

• Avoid heat, moisture, and light – Store medications in a cool and dry environment and avoid direct sunlight to avoid damage to your medications. Here are some tips for maintaining the integrity of your medications: 

  • Dedicate a secure space, such as a drawer or cabinet that is cool, dark,  and away from direct sunlight.

  • Avoid storing medication in the kitchen near the stove or hot appliances.

  • While a bathroom cabinet is common to store medications in many households, it is not recommended due to heat and moisture. 

• Original Container – If appropriate, you should keep medications in the original packaging, using child-resistant safety caps. 

  • Exceptions include older adults and individuals with physical disabilities such as arthritis, making opening child-resistant packaging challenging. 

  • Use a portable travel medicine organizer for on-the-go storage to keep pills safe while traveling.

Places to Avoid Storing Medications

• Bathroom cabinets – high humidity and heat can degrade medications.

• Kitchen cabinets near stoves, hot appliances, or sinks – heat and moisture exposure can affect medicine potency.

• Unlocked storage containers placed on low shelves – access to the medicines by kids can lead to accidental poisoning.

• In direct sunlight, for example, near windows – UV exposure can affect medicine effectiveness.

• In the car – temperature fluctuations can damage medicines.

Storing Refrigerated Medication

While the majority of medications need to be stored at room temperature (68-77˚F or 20-25˚C), some need to be kept in a cooler place to maintain proper efficacy. Check your medication label to ensure you are storing your medicine at the right temperature. Refrigerated medicine should typically be stored cold at 36-46˚F or 2-8˚C. 

Storing Controlled Substances

Controlled substances are tightly regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) because of their potential for misuse and abuse, which can result in physical and psychological dependence. Additionally, unintentional ingestion of these substances can be very harmful, potentially leading to serious complications or even death. 

That’s why it’s so important to prioritize the safe and secure storage of controlled substances. Taking these precautions can help protect both individuals and their loved ones from harm.

Some common examples of controlled substances include: 

• Opioids for pain management (Suboxone, Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, etc)

• ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) treatments such as Adderall and Ritalin

• Stimulant weight loss medications (phentermine)

• Anabolic steroids

• Medications used for anxiety (Xanax), insomnia (Ambien), and seizures (phenobarbital)

• Anabolic steroids – testosterone products

Storing Liquid Medicine

Liquid medications should be checked for contamination and proper sealing.

• Never mix different liquid medicines in the same bottle unless your doctor says it is okay to do so. 

• Make sure the cap is tightly sealed to prevent exposure to air and moisture. 

• Store liquid medicines upright to prevent spills.

• Do not freeze liquid medication, as this can damage them.

• Check disposal instructions – some medications need to be disposed off 7, 10, 14, or 28 days after opening the container.

Keep Medicines Out of Reach of Children

Every medication should be kept out of the reach of children, no matter what type of medication it is. Children's medications often taste sweet and flavored like candy, while adult medications look a lot like candy. 

If there are children in the home, all medicines, including supplements, should be locked up and monitored. When storing medications in the refrigerator, consider a lockbox or a childproof bag or box.

Most people simply put their medications in the bathroom. However, it is advised that you avoid storing any medicine in the bathroom because it is accessible by children and guests who may visit the home and it is often hot and moist, which, as discussed, can damage medications. 

Why Does Proper Medication Storage Matter?

Storing medications incorrectly can cause them to lose their potency (strength) and make them less effective in managing health conditions. In some cases, improper storage can even be harmful to your health, causing accidental poisoning, especially if medications are left within reach of children who may mistake them for candy or food.

According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 16.3 million Americans misuse prescription drugs each year, and 52 million Americans have misused prescription drugs intentionally at least once in their lifetime.

Proper storage is crucial for all medications, but it is especially important for controlled substances due to their potential for misuse and theft. Secure storage is necessary to prevent accidental ingestion of these substances, which can lead to serious consequences, including death.

Disposing of Unused Medications

Disposing of unused medicine is not always on our mind as we finish an "as needed" prescription or when an ill family member gets well, or worse, passes away. When disaster happens, disposing of the medication may not be a priority, but should be done, nonetheless. Medications that are unused will also go unnoticed when accidentally taken or stolen. 

The best way to dispose of medication is to take advantage of a drug take-back event hosted annually by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency or transfer unused medications to a DEA-authorized collector in your area.

If this is not an option in your area, and there are no specific instructions on the medication label for disposal, you can use your household trash following these simple rules:

• Mix the medication with an unpalatable substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds. Do not crush tablets or capsules.

• Place the mixture in a container or sealed bag.

• Throw the container in bins with your household trash.

• Scratch out label information from bottles, and discard in the trash. Do not throw away medications inside bottles.

• Following proper storage and medication disposal protocols is best for everyone’s health as well as the health of the environment. Never flush pills or put them down the drain, as they can leak into water supplies. It’s important to think of others (and even pets!) when it comes to medication safety. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Medicine Storage

Is It Okay To Store Pills Together?

You can safely store most medications in the same storage box with other medicines without them interacting. But check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure.

Can You Put Pills In A Ziploc Bag?

You can put pills in a ziplocked back for traveling. When taking prescription medications on an airplane, placing them in a clear plastic bag makes airport security screening convenient. But you may have to undergo additional security checks. Be sure to carry your prescription with you and avoid putting medications in checked luggage. It usually does not make sense to store medicines in a ziploc bag in your own home.

Is It Okay To Put Pills In A Pill Box?

It is usually okay to put pills in a pill box for the short-term for convenience. However, tablets/capsules retain their potency (strength) better in the original packaging. Also, it’s important to store pill boxes out of reach of children. 

How Do You Organize a Large Amount of Medication?

You can use a pill organizer to store medications for the short-term. Medications that aren't in the pillbox should be stored in their original containers with labels that include important information such as the name of the medicine, dosage, expiration date, storage instructions, and the prescribing physician’s name. Smartphone or computer-based apps may also help in organization of large numbers of medications.