Medicine Storage Video

Should you keep your medications in the bathroom medicine chest or the fridge? Pharmacist Doug White shows you where – and how – to store your medicines so they stay effective.
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Doug White: I'm Pharmacist, Doug White, Inside the Medicine Chest. Did you know that how you store your medicine plays an important in how active it is? So where should you keep your medications? Most can be safely stored at room temperature but check the package to be sure. One thing to consider is humidity. If your medicine chest is in the bathroom, make sure your med stay in those tight moisture-resistant containers or that steam could do a number around you. Hey, where did you guys go? And what about temperature? Medicines like Insulin or some liquid antibiotics which have a shelf-life of only around two weeks, need to be stored in a fridge because heat can effect how they work. Then there's the taste, just like food, some medicines taste better cold. Hey, not that cold. Always keep your meds in their original container. Some can start to evaporate as soon as they are exposed to air. If you put them in an unapproved container and need them six months later, you may find that all you are left with is powder. Last but not least, if you have kids in your house, make sure you store your medication up high and keep the safety caps on and remember any questions you have about storing your medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist. I'm Doug White, Inside the Medicine Chest.

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