How to Store your Medications

Regardless if you only take a multivitamin or follow a strict regimen from your doctor, storing them properly is incredibly important. Stay organized, stay safe and stay healthy!

Instructions

• 1

  Safety first. Always keep your medication out of the reach of children- even if it's a vitamin! The trick is to keep it in a safe place, but also away from heat and humidity- so skip the bathroom medicine cabinet and store it in the linen closet or pantry.

• 2

  Grouping. If you have one drawer or cabinet specifically for medication, group the like items together. Keep pain relievers separate from supplements, and stomach remedies away from sleep aids.

• 3

  Expiration? Always check the expiration date of your medicine, even at the drug store. Never keep (or buy) expired medicine because their effect can become harmful over time.

• 4

  Boxes. If you take several medications per day, you may want to consider purchasing a 7-day pill box. These help prevent missed doses or double doses- not to mention they're great when traveling.

• 5

  First Aid. One must-have for any medicine cabinet (or closet) is a first aid kit. Keep it properly stocked with the usual items: bandages, burn ointment, and pain reliever. But it's also a good idea to keep a bottle of ipecac syrup handy. Ipecac syrup is a vomit-inducing liquid used during accidental overdose or poisoning.