4811 S Arrowhead Dr, Independence, MO 64055
The summer season is officially here; and it’s more important than ever to ensure your medications are protected.Usually, we tend to keep our meds in the kitchen, on windowsills, dining tables and even in bathroom cabinets, without thinking twice. However, we forget that even medications have a specific room temperature for storage; exceeding this temperature could damage them and impact their safety for consumption. In summers, high temperatures can alter the chemical composition and stability of several medications.
If you take medications damaged by heat, they can cause unwanted side effects and may lead to more harm than good. This is why it is extremely important to follow tips for summer medication safety without any excuses. A moment of “I forgot to keep my meds safely” can quickly turn into “ I need to rush to the hospital” if your drugs are damaged by the heat. In this blog, we have included some key strategies to help you practice summer medication safety.
Understanding Heat's Impact on Your Medications
Many medicines that we consume daily are prone to heat damage. This includes common drugs like thyroid hormones, insulin, and even OTC meds, that are really sensitive to air moisture or humidity. Their active ingredients can break down when exposed to high temperatures for a long time. This reduces their effectiveness or can even makes them useless causing medical emergencies and deaths.
Moreover, direct sunlight exposure is the only problem that we need to tackle. Even leaving your meds in a hot car for a short period of time can damage them. Car interiors can heat up quickly and exceed 150°F (65°C). If you have an option for home delivery of meds, then it’s better to choose it, as they are delivered by professionals who follow proper medication safety standards.
Essential Tips for Summer Medication Safety
We have curated a list of proactive measures to prevent medication degradation in summer. Here are some of the easy and practical tips you can follow for summer medication safety:
Store medicines in a cool dry place
Try to keep your meds in their original packaging. Protect them from direct sunlight and heat sources like stoves, ovens, or water heaters. Also, avoid keeping drugs in bathrooms or kitchens where heat and humidity change often. Its best to keep them in a closed cabinet in a cool room.
Do not leave medicines in a hot car
As mentioned earlier, never leave your meds inside the car. Don’t even keep them at a seat beside you while driving, as sunlight directly falls upon your meds. Try to take your meds during the evening or keep them covered in an insulated bag or cooler pack if carrying them during peak sun hours.
Follow label instructions carefully
Remember to check storage instructions of prescriptions on the label or patient leaflet. Some medicines like insulin, certain eye drops, and liquid antibiotics may need refrigeration. Follow the exact temperature guidance given and do not alter it without asking your Doctor.
Avoid handling medicines more than needed
Try not to open or touch your medicines repeatedly without any reason. Each time drugs are exposed to air or humidity, it can slowly affect their stability, especially during summer. Even small and repeated exposure over time can reduce how well the medicine works.
Do not ignore small changes in packaging
If you notice anything unusual about your meds, do not ignore it. Damaged medicines may look broken, sticky, faded in color, have a strange smell, or show moisture inside the pack. It is always better to check with a pharmacist if you have any concerns or queries.
When to Consult Your Pharmacist
You can talk to your pharmacist to learn more about summer medication safety. If you need clarifications on how heat might affect a specific drug or need guidance on best storage practices for your meds, do not hesitate to reach out to a professional pharmacist. They can guide you thoroughly on the proper disposal methods for compromised drugs, and discuss alternatives if certain meds are particularly heat-sensitive.
At StadiumRx, our pharmacists are committed to your health and safety year-round. Whatever the season is, you should prioritize your medication safety and our pharmacists help you with that. You can always approach us for help- be it for advise on medication storage, assistance with refills or general health advise- we’re here to assist!
Contact us today or visit one of our convenient locations to speak with a pharmacist and ensure your medications are safe and effective all summer long.