Tips for Reducing Unused Medicine in the Home

Tips for Reducing Unused Medicine in the Home

To ensure that you do not have any leftover medicine, here are some suggestions

• It is important to read the label carefully before using any drug. It will provide you with information on how to use it, such as whether it should be taken continuously until the drug runs out, or for a specific period of time. For some drugs, such as antibiotics, you must take all of them in a row. After using certain medications, such as eye drops, for more than one month, you should discard them and start a new course. Following the instructions on the label will help ensure proper and safe use of the drug.
• If you have a congenital disease or a chronic condition and need to attend regular doctor appointments, make sure to bring any leftover medication with you. This will allow the doctor to accurately assess the amount of medication remaining and adjust your dosage accordingly. This is especially important if the doctor has switched your medication, as taking too much of a drug can be dangerous. By taking the leftover medication to your appointment, you can ensure that you do not take too much of the medication and protect your health.
• It is important to not buy too much over-the-counter relief medication at one time. If there is medicine leftover in the house, it is important to manage it properly. First, check the expiration date of the medication on the pill pack or the side of the pill box. It is also important to check the condition of the medicine, as storing it improperly, such as in a hot, humid, or sunny place, can cause the medicine to deteriorate even before the expiration date. If there is no expiration date, refer to the date on which the medication was received, which is indicated on the pill pouch. In general, medications should not be used if they have been taken for more than 6 months to 1 year.
• All medications that have not expired and are in good condition should be stored in their original container or packet and placed in a dry, cool, and dark place, such as a medicine cabinet or bag. Be sure to keep them out of reach of children. Additionally, make sure that the medication label is clear and understandable. If you are uncertain about how to properly store the medication or how to use it, contact a pharmacist for help.
• To ensure the discarded medicines are not used again, it is important to properly destroy them before discarding. If the medicine is in pill form, smash it and add a little water. For liquids, pour the mixture into the medicine. Ointments and creams should be squeezed out of their containers, then mixed with tea leaves, sawdust, vegetable scraps, or fruit peels and placed into a tightly sealed bag, such as a zip lock bag, before throwing it away. If there are a lot of drugs left, it is best to consult a pharmacist.
• It is important to not share or take leftover medication from others, even if the symptoms appear to be the same. The dosage and ingredients may not be suitable for you and could cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, it is essential to only take medication prescribed for you by a doctor.
• Do not combine leftover medicines in the medicine packets or the same vial
• Do not remove the medication from the blister if it is not yet used.
• Do not store medication in the refrigerator except for labeled drugs
• Do not store the medicine in a parked car as the heat will cause the medicine to deteriorate.
• It is important not to stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor, as this could lead to the worsening of symptoms being mistaken for the disease. Your doctor may then prescribe an additional medication which may not be necessary.

It is strongly advised that you do not purchase any form of self-medication without consulting a pharmacist first. This is due to the fact that if you were to receive a large quantity of medication from a hospital, there is a chance of you being given duplicate drugs.