The coming of Spring usually means Spring cleaning, and what better place to start than the medicine cabinet? Make a resolution to clean out the medicine cabinet and to make it an annual event. That way you'll be taking stock of what you have, what you need and what to throw away.
Start by removing everything from the cabinet and separate the contents into "keep" and "toss". Begin by checking each item thoroughly for expiration dates. Most prescription meds expire one year after the date they were filled and over-the-counter medications generally have a longer shelf life.
What To Throw Away:
- Expired medicines, which lose their effectiveness and in some instances can become dangerous. Thoroughly check the expiration dates.
- Nearly empty bottles. Besides creating clutter, they may not even have enough medicine left for a full dose.
- Pills that are broken or powdery. When pills are broken they may become less potent and it's more difficult to regulate the proper dosage.
- Improperly stored items which can partially evaporate, leaving them more concentrated and dangerous.
- Items that were not sealed or stored properly.
- Duplicates of items that are not used as they often only create clutter. If you do want to keep duplicates, move them out of the medicine cabinet and into a larger area to store. Try a large cabinet, or your pantry.
- Old prescriptions, or partially used prescriptions should not be saved. Check with your physician if you have questions about saving prescriptions.
What to add:
Your family's needs will help you decide what belongs in your medicine cabinet. Besides prescription medicines your medicine cabinet should contain some of the same items that you have in your first aid kit.
- Adult-only aspirin
- Aloe Vera (to treat burns)
- Allergy medications
- Antacids for heartburn
- Athlete's foot spray or cream
- Antihistamines, like Benadryl or Sudafed, for allergic reactions
- Antibiotic ointment like bacitracin or Neosporin for cuts and scrapes
- Calamine lotion for itchy rashes
- Cough and cold medicines
- Decongestants for stuffy noses and chests
- Insect repellant
- Insect bite relief
- Laxatives for constipation
- Pain relievers for adults and children, including acetaminophens (like Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (like Advil)
- Rubbing alcohol
- Sleep aids, like Nyquil
- Sunscreen with the right amount of SPF protection
The best place to keep medicine is NOT in your bathroom. The heat and humidity in the bathroom may damage the medicine. Keep medicines in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and where they cannot be accessed by children.
Gather all the medicines you will be discarding. It's not a good idea to flush them down the toilet or to throw them into the trash. Drugs can kill helpful bacteria in septic systems and some may pass through sewage treatment plants. Children and animals may get into any drugs tossed into the trash.
Ask your pharmacist for suggestions on how to properly dispose of medicines. Some pharmacies sponsor "clean out your medicine cabinet" drives where you may bring old, unused or expired medications.
If you must dispose of your medicines in the trash, it's a good idea to place a bit of water into solid medications or to solidify liquid meds with a bit of kitty litter or flour. Keep them in their original childproof containers with the label left on (but remove your name to protect your privacy). You can conceal the prescription bottles by placing them in empty margarine tubs or paper bags.
