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Storing your medicines

Medications - storing

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Description

Storing your medicines properly can help to ensure they work as they should as well as prevent poisoning accidents.

Store Medicines Safely

Where you store your medicine can affect how well it works. Learn about storing your medicine properly to keep it from getting damaged.

Take care of your medicine.

Keep children safe.

Do not use Damaged Medicine

Damaged medicine may make you sick. Do not take:

Get rid of old Medicines

Get rid of unused medicine safely and promptly.

Traveling With Medicine

Do not keep medicine in the glove compartment of your car. Medicine can get too hot, cold, or wet there.

If you are taking an airplane, keep your medicine in your carry-on luggage. To help with security at the airport:

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your provider for:

References

US Food & Drug Administration website. Drug disposal: FDA's flush list for certain medicines. www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-fdas-flush-list-certain-medicines. Updated October 1, 2020. Accessed March 15, 2024.

US Food & Drug Administration website. Properly store medications to keep your pet safe. www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/properly-store-medications-keep-your-pet-safe. Updated March 11, 2022. Accessed February 15, 2024.

US Food & Drug Administration website. Where and how to dispose of unused medicines. www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines. Updated April 21, 2021. Accessed February 15, 2024.

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Review Date: 2/8/2024  

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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06/01/2025

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