Prescription Drug and Over-the-Counter Medication Safe Storage
Prescription medication is secured from the time it leaves the manufacturer until the time it’s dispensed at a pharmacy. At that point it becomes our responsibility to safely store medication at home.
Safe Storage Steps
- Lock it up in a drawer or a cabinet that can be locked, or a lock box that is out of the reach of children and guests.
- Monitor your medicine. Know how much you’ve used, how much remains, and keep a list of all the medications in the house. If some of your medication is missing, you’ll know right away.
- Securing Medication. Make sure other family members are securing their medicine before your kids visit them.
More Storage Tips
- Make sure visitors keep their medicine out of sight.
- Store medication as directed. Usually that means a cool dry place, not a kitchen or bathroom where things can get hot and humid. But sometimes they need to be refrigerated. Ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure.
- Always use the original container the medicine came in. Make sure the label remains attached and all child-resistant caps are secured.
- Do not combine medications into one bottle.
Learn more at TakeMedsSeriously.org
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