Do you leave your medication and supplements just because it's hot and humid? 'These kinds of medicines' should be stored in the refrigerator.

During hot and humid summers, just as food can spoil, medicines also risk deteriorating.

 

 

Spoiled medication can lose its effectiveness or even be harmful to health.

 

How should I properly store medications during the summer?

 

 

Some medications must be stored in the refrigerator.

 

Most medications can be stored at room temperature even during the summer.

 

If stored in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight at a temperature of 25°C and humidity below 60%, there will generally be no major issues.

 

However, some medications are sensitive to temperature and humidity, which can cause problems.

Antibiotics, syrup medications, nitroglycerin, as well as popular supplements such as vitamins, probiotics, and omega-3s, easily deteriorate in hot and humid environments.

 

 

 

That doesn't mean that medication must always be stored in the refrigerator during summer.

 

Only a portion of the medication requires refrigeration.

 

For medications that require refrigeration

 

▲Diabetes injections such as insulin injections

 

Growth hormone injection

 

▲ Jala-com Eye Drops and other glaucoma and intraocular pressure lowering eye drops

 

There are suppositories, such as acetaminophen, that melt at room temperature.

 

In particular, diabetes medications require different storage temperatures depending on their ingredients, and even the same medication needs careful attention due to differences in storage temperature before and after opening.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, since some medications, like liquid antacids, can deteriorate and lose effectiveness if stored in the refrigerator, it is important to properly check the storage instructions for each medication.

 

◇ Discard immediately if discolored or damaged

 

If you suspect the medication has deteriorated due to improper storage, it should be discarded immediately.

 

Spoiled medication can cause loss of efficacy or deterioration of effectiveness.

 

Caution is advised as it can cause serious side effects if taken.

 

Even if it has been a short time since the prescription was received, if the medication shows a different shape, color, or smell from when it was first received, suspect spoilage and discard it.

 

The white pill has turned yellowish or pinkish.

 

▲ Powder medication clumping or sticking together

 

▲The soft capsule contents leak out, becoming sticky or gooey.

 

▲The capsule contents have burst and contaminated the surrounding medication.

 

▲If the medicine swells and cracks, you should suspect that it has deteriorated.

 

Meanwhile, disposing of spoiled medication with regular trash can cause environmental pollution as well as disrupt the ecosystem.

 

 

 

Therefore, at nearby locations such as medicine disposal bins, pharmacies, community centers, and local health centers.

 

It must be disposed of.