The Willowbank Pharmacy newsletter provides tips for safely storing medications. Key points include: - Store medications below 25°C in a cool, dry, dark place away from heat, light and moisture to prevent breakdown. - Leave medications in original containers and check expiry dates regularly. - Some medications like eye drops need to be discarded after a set time once opened. - Keep medications locked away and out of reach of children. - Only store medications in the fridge if the label specifies; fluctuations in temperature can damage some medications. - When traveling, keep medications cool and dry, such as in an insulated bag, and take an extra supply in case of delays.

1. WILLOWBANK PHARMACY
NOVEMBER
NEWSLETTER!!
How to Store Your Medications:
• It is very important to store your medications safely and
appropriately to prevent them from being misused and to ensure they
retain their potency. Unless the label says otherwise, medications
should always be stored in a secure location which is cool, dark and
dry with no temperature fluctuations. There are a few simple rules
you can follow to ensure that the medications in your home are safe to
use at all times:
• Most medications should be stored below 25°C, which can be a problem during a
Queensland summer! A closet or cabinet in a hallway or bedroom is generally
preferable to the bathroom or kitchen. Kitchen and bathroom cabinets tend to be
warm and humid, speeding up the breakdown of medications. This can result in
them losing their potency before the labelled expiration date or in
some cases they can even become toxic.
• Where possible leave medications in their original containers. This
avoids mix-ups and allows you to keep track of directions and
expiration dates.
• Many medications are stored in amber bottles. This is because UV light
can cause changes in the chemical structure of some medications, therefore it is
always a good idea to store them away from light.
• Keeping track of the expiry dates on your medications is very important. Under no
circumstances should a medication be used or taken after the expiry date.
Manufacturers calculate this extremely carefully, taking into account
the nature of the drug, the preservatives which may have been used
and the manner in which the drug should be stored. Make it a regular
part of the household routine to check the expiry dates of all tablets,
inhalers, injections, suspensions, eye drops and creams in your home.
• Some medications come with specific instructions as to how long they
can be open before they need to be thrown away. For example, eye drops should be
discarded 28 days after opening and glyceryl trinitrate tablets 3 months after
opening. Always write the date of opening on the bottle.
• Some bottles of medication contain a ball of cotton wool to cushion the tablets. Once
the container has been opened throw the cotton ball away as it can draw
in moisture and degrade the medication.
• Make sure that all medications are kept well out of reach of children.
Consider storing all of your family's medications in a locked cabinet or
storage box.

2. You May Be Eligible For a Government Funded
MedsCheck Or Diabetes MedsCheck!!! Just Ask In
Store!!!
How To Store Medications That Require Refrigeration:
Many liquid medications and injection vials should be stored in the fridge, but store in
the fridge only if the label says so. Conditions inside the fridge are usually
too cold and too wet for medications that are only meant to be kept
below 25°C. Just as medications can degrade if they get too hot, many
drugs will also "spoil" in too cold temperatures. Big fluctuations in
temperatures can cause tiny crystals to form in liquids, making the
drug inactive or possibly even dangerous to use. Make sure the lids are
firmly closed and the containers are kept on the top shelf of the
refrigerator where small children cannot reach them. If the medication accidentally
freezes, check with a pharmacist to make sure that it is still usable.
How to Store Medications While Out Or Away On Holidays:
If you need to take medication while you are out running errands on a hot day then
take with you only what you need for the day, and leave the remainder at home.
Medications that should be stored below 25°C are unlikely to be affected by one hot
day. Medications normally kept in the fridge can be transported in a small esky.
Storing medications while on holidays will require more effort. Above all, don’t store
them in the glove box or on the dashboard of the car. You need to find a solution that
keeps your medications as cool and dry as possible. You could pack them inside an
insulated esky bag or inside your suitcase in between layers of clothing, If your vehicle
has air-conditioning then store medications in the car rather than in the
boot. If you are flying, then pack your medication in a carry-on bag
instead of a checked suitcase. This is particularly important for some
medications such as insulin as putting these into the hold of a plane
can result in the medication freezing and being destroyed. Take an
extra supply of all medications in case your return is delayed.
Pharmacists can be funny too!!!
After examining a patient who had been complaining of feeling unwell the doctor
recommended the following regimen: Take the green pill with a glass of water after
getting up; take the blue pill with glass of water after lunch; just before bed take the red
pill with another glass of water. “Doctor, doctor what is wrong with me?” the patient
asked. And the Doctor said “You're not getting enough water!”
References:
• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007189.htm
• http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Medicines_safety_issues
• http://www.nps.org.au/consumers/publications/medicines_talk/mt8/in_the_heat2