Using Medicines Safely at Home: Labels, Storage and Expiry Dates
Simple habits that make medicines at home safer for everyone in the family.
Medicines help only when they are used the way they were intended. A few simple habits at home make that much easier.
Read the leaflet and the label. Every medicine comes with a leaflet that explains what it is for, how it should be used, who should avoid it and what to watch for. Read it when you start a new medicine, and follow the directions given by your doctor or pharmacist rather than guessing.
Check the expiry date. The date is printed on the pack. Do not use a medicine after it has expired, and check the date again before using something that has been in the cabinet for a long time. Some products, such as opened bottles, must be used within a limited time after opening; the leaflet or the pharmacist can tell you.
Store medicines properly. Most medicines are kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture, so the bathroom is usually not the best place. Some products need to be kept in the fridge, and this is written on the pack. Keep every medicine out of the reach and sight of children, in its original pack with the leaflet.
Do not share medicines. A medicine that suits one person may not suit another, even when the symptoms look alike. Do not start, stop or change a treatment prescribed by your doctor without asking your doctor first.
Tell your pharmacist and doctor everything you take. This includes other medicines, vitamins, herbal products and any allergies you have, because some products affect one another.
Dispose of old medicines responsibly. Ask the pharmacy how to get rid of expired or unused medicines safely.
This article is general information only. It does not replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist, who should be consulted about your own situation.
General information only. It does not replace a consultation with your doctor or pharmacist.
