Cooling Medications: Bedroom Storage Solutions

Keeping medicines cool is essential to maintaining their strength and quality. Most medications need to be stored at controlled room temperature, ideally between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit, and some can handle a temperature range of 59 to 86 degrees for short periods. Exposure to high temperatures, light, and humidity can cause medications to break down and become less effective or, in rare cases, even toxic. This is especially true for medications like insulin, antibiotics, and asthma inhalers, which are highly sensitive to heat. Therefore, it is crucial to find ways to keep medicines cool, especially in warm climates or during power outages.

Store in a bedroom drawer or closet shelf

If your bathroom or kitchen areas are too humid or hot, consider storing your medicines in a bedroom drawer or closet shelf. This is a good option if you need to keep your medicines in a cool, dry place, away from heat, humidity, and light. The bedroom is likely to be cooler than the kitchen, and certainly cooler than the bathroom, which has heat and moisture radiating from the shower, sink, and bathtub.

If you opt for a bedroom drawer, it's best to use it every day so that pills are not forgotten. You could also keep medicines in a cupboard in the bedroom, or in the linen closet, but avoid storing them above the refrigerator as this will be too warm.

If you are travelling, rather than storing medicines in a hot car, take them with you in a cooler or insulated bag.

Keep medicine in its original packaging

Keeping medicines in their original packaging is important for several reasons. Firstly, the original container is designed to protect the medicine from heat, air, light, and moisture, which can all impact a medicine's effectiveness and safety. For example, pills and capsules are easily damaged by heat and moisture. Aspirin pills, in particular, break down into vinegar and salicylic acid when exposed to these elements, which can irritate the stomach.

Additionally, some medicines are specifically designed to be dispensed in their original containers to ensure patient safety. For instance, oral contraceptives are often packaged in a certain way so that it is clear to the patient which tablet to take next and for how long. Removing these from their original packaging could lead to unwanted pregnancy or irregular menstrual bleeding.

Furthermore, certain medicines are highly sensitive to light, moisture, heat, and oxygen, and removing them from their original packaging can cause them to lose potency. For example, dabigatran, a drug that is very sensitive to moisture, must be stored in its original packaging until administration. Similarly, sodium valproate tablets must be kept in protective foil until taken as this protects them from excess moisture absorption.

It is also important to note that healthcare professionals should be aware of any special handling requirements for certain medications. For instance, solid dose cytotoxic preparations such as methotrexate should not be handled by women who are pregnant or may potentially be pregnant.

Avoid bathrooms and cars

It is best to avoid storing medication in bathrooms. Bathrooms are often hot and humid, with heat and moisture radiating from showers, sinks, and bathtubs. This can cause medication to lose potency. Instead, opt for a bedroom closet shelf, a kitchen counter or cabinet, or a drawer in a bedroom dresser.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is leaving medication in a parked car. Car interiors can become extremely hot, and medication can quickly degrade in these conditions. If you have medication with you while travelling, always keep it with you in the car rather than leaving it in the vehicle when you exit.

Refrigerate certain medications

Some medications require refrigeration to remain effective. Exposure to high temperatures can cause medications to lose potency and degrade, reducing their efficacy. It is important to always consult the specific storage instructions for each medication.

Medications that must be refrigerated include insulin, vaccines, eye and ear drops, injections, growth hormones, chemotherapy tablets, topical creams and gels, and others. For example, common eye drops like Latanoprost, Xalatan, Timolol, and Glaucoma require refrigeration. Additionally, certain antibiotics need to be refrigerated to prevent alterations in their chemical structure, such as Penicillin oral solution and Erythromycin suspensions.

It is crucial to maintain a consistent temperature for refrigerated medications, typically between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C). To achieve this, you can invest in a small cooler with ice packs dedicated solely to storing refrigerated medications. This cooler can also be used when travelling by plane or car to maintain the required temperature for your medications.

When travelling with medications, always carry them with you in your hand luggage or personal item. Do not check them in, as temperatures in holding areas are not controlled. Additionally, temperatures in cars can get extremely high, so it is best to keep your medications with you rather than leaving them in the vehicle.

Use insulated bags for travel

Insulated bags are a great way to keep your medications cool when you're travelling, especially in hot weather. They can help maintain the privacy and safety of your medications, and ensure they are easily accessible when needed.

When travelling, it is important to keep medications with you, rather than in checked luggage. This is because cargo holds on planes, trains, and buses are not temperature-controlled, and luggage compartments on buses and trains can become very hot in warm weather. Additionally, there is always the risk of losing your luggage when it is checked or stored separately from you.

Insulated bags are designed to regulate the temperature of their contents, helping to keep medications within the recommended temperature range. This is particularly important for medications such as insulin, asthma inhalers, and epinephrine, which can be sensitive to temperature changes and lose potency if exposed to high heat.

When using an insulated bag, it is important to follow a few best practices. First, try to use the original packaging of the medication whenever possible, as this is designed to protect the medicine from external factors. Second, only open the bag when necessary to maintain the cool temperature inside. Third, keep the bag with you at all times to avoid leaving it in a hot car or other warm environment. Finally, pay attention to expiration dates, as drugs stored in less-than-ideal conditions may degrade faster.

By following these tips and using an insulated bag, you can help ensure that your medications remain safe and effective while travelling.

Frequently asked questions