(Medicine Storage) Do you leave your medications and supplements out in hot and humid weather? "These kinds of medications" should be stored in the refrigerator...

Just as food spoils in the hot and humid summer, medicines are also at risk of spoilage. Spoiled medicines can lose their effectiveness or even be detrimental to your health. How can we properly store medicine during the summer?

 

◇Some medications require refrigeration.

 

Most medications can be stored at room temperature, even in summer. Most medications should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, with a temperature of 25°C and humidity below 60%.

 

However, some medications are sensitive to temperature and humidity and can cause problems. Popular medications include antibiotics, syrups, and nitroglycerin.

 

Nutrients such as vitamins, probiotics, and omega-3 easily deteriorate in hot and humid environments.

However, this does not mean that medicine must always be stored in the refrigerator during the summer.

Only a few medications require refrigeration.

 

Medicines that require refrigeration

▲Diabetic injections such as insulin injections

▲Growth hormone injections

▲Glaucoma and high blood pressure eye drops, such as Jallacom 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. Even within the same medication, storage temperatures can vary before and after opening, requiring careful consideration. Furthermore, some medications, such as liquid digestive aids, can deteriorate and become less effective if refrigerated, so it's crucial to carefully check the storage instructions for each medication.

 

◇Discard immediately if discolored or damaged.

 

If you suspect that the medicine has spoiled due to improper storage, you should discard it immediately.

 

A spoiled drug may cause loss of efficacy or deterioration of efficacy.

Caution is advised as taking this medication can cause serious side effects. Even if you've only recently received your prescription, if the medication changes shape, color, or smell from when you first received it, you should suspect spoilage and discard it.

 

▲The white pill turns yellow or pink.

▲The powder medicine clumps

▲The contents of the soft capsule leak out and become sticky.

▲The contents of the capsule burst and got on the surrounding medicine.

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

 

Meanwhile, discarding spoiled medicines with general waste can not only cause environmental pollution but also disrupt the ecosystem. Therefore, they should be disposed of at a nearby waste medicine collection box, pharmacy, community center, or local health center.

 

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Arginine was split.

Now there are 6 left, so I guess I'll just have to discard them.

Taking medicine and nutritional supplements is good for your health.

I need to know it well and take care of it.