How should I store the unused medicines?

There are different storage methods for different surplus medicines, including the following.

1. Drugs that are easy to decompose and deteriorate in the air.

Affected by oxygen, light, temperature, humidity, microorganisms and so on in the air, for example, some drugs will decompose quickly after seeing the light, and after eating, it will be harmful to the body, and some drugs need to be stored in the refrigerator, just put them directly in the refrigerator, do not put them in other places, they are easy to deteriorate, so that the remaining drugs can be reused if they are preserved, and if the drugs deteriorate, they must be thrown away in time and can not be eaten again.

2. Leftover injections and antibacterial prescription drugs.

If this kind of drug is less than one course of treatment, it is recommended not to keep it and throw it away, because if such a drug is less than a course of treatment after injection, it will not only have no effect on the condition, but also aggravate the condition and repeat, this drug can only be used under the advice of the doctor, especially for allergies, so it is not necessary to keep it.

3. Drugs that are less than one course of treatment.

Some medicines are only effective if they are required for a course of treatment, so they don't need to be kept, and if they don't have a course of treatment, they have no effect after eating, and they have no practical use at home, so when buying this kind of medicine, just buy too much, enough for yourself to use at this stage.

4. Drugs that are not commonly used or are not well packaged.

There are many types of medicines, and there are many types of drugs that are commonly used at home, and they have to go a lot after they are commonly used, and many of them are not in good condition after opening, so there must be labels, remember what drugs are and what they are used for, if they are placed in the air and are not easy to deteriorate, they should not be kept.

Usually prepare some small injuries at home, cold and fever on the line, do not store too many medicines, the remaining medicines should also be placed in a place where children can not reach, for some small problems when needed, then buy, to avoid not being used to cause expiration, and there is no effect after eating.

Prevent deterioration of medicines. Medicines should be kept in a dry, dark and low temperature place. The closed storage should be stored in a bottle and not stored in a paper bag or carton, so as to avoid the failure of oxidative deliquescent.

Chinese patent medicines should pay more attention to packaging and storage, most of them are susceptible to moisture, and are more likely to mold and insects in summer.

Medicines should be placed in a small medicine box with them. Then place the small medicine box in a cool, dry place so that it can be stored and stored.

Be sure to pay attention to drying, need to pay attention to sealing, so that it can be better stored, and need to be placed in a relatively clean and hygienic place.

<> "Tips for Drug Preservation.

Tip 1: Discard the desiccant immediately after opening the bottle.

The expiration date marked on the drug packaging refers to the shelf life of the drug in the unopened state, and once the sealed package is opened, the use period of the drug will be significantly shortened. The basic principle of preserving medicines is to seal and protect from light. Medicines should be avoided in direct sunlight, let alone in cars.

In the principle of preserving medicines, keeping them dry is a very important link.

Some medicines have cotton balls or desiccant in the packaging, and they should be discarded after opening, otherwise they will absorb water vapor and make the drug more likely to deteriorate. Nowadays, the packaging of many medicines has been improved, and there is no desiccant, and care should be taken to keep them dry when storing these medicines.

Tip 2: Use up the medicine in small sachets as soon as possible.

Sometimes we will retrieve the medicines from the hospital or clinic that are divided into small paper bags, most of these medicines are separated from large packages, usually 3-7 days of consumption, if stored in paper bags, they should be taken as soon as possible. If it is not used up, it is cured or the medication is adjusted, and it is generally recommended to discard it. If the drug is more expensive, it can be stored in a small glass bottle with good sealing, and it is also necessary to put a label on the bottle to indicate the name, specification and expiration date of the drug to avoid confusion.

Tip 3: Divide large bottles of medicinal vials.

If it is a large bottle of 100 tablets and the orange medicine cannot be used up quickly, a small number of tablets can be taken and placed separately in a small glass bottle with a good seal in a dark color. Take the medicine in the vial first to reduce the chance of contamination of the pills due to repeated opening of the vial. However, it is important to put a label on the new glass vial, indicating the name, specification and expiration date of the drug, and do not confuse it with other medicines.

Tip 4: "Plate" medicine to avoid moisture.

Aluminum-plastic medicine, commonly known as "plate-filled" medicine, is a capsule or tablet that is sealed in a separate plastic bubble. This packaging dries well, but some medicines only need to be taken half a tablet at a time, and the remaining half tablet changes the storage environment even if it is put back into the package. Therefore, if you don't use it for the time being and the medicine is more expensive, it is best to store it in a small dark glass bottle.

If you need to take another dose at an interval of less than 24 hours, you can put the tablet back in the plastic bubble, but care should be taken to store it away from humidity. It should also be noted that the tablets should be broken first when taking medicine, and the remaining tablets should be put away before starting to take the medicine, so as to prevent water from getting on the remaining tablets and causing the tablets to be put back in the plastic bubble from getting wet.

Bottle stopper sealing: General drugs should be corked and sealed for preservation, and there are two purposes:

1) Prevent dust from entering the reagent to contaminate the drug and volatilize some drugs;

2) Prevent the deterioration of the reaction between the drug and the gas such as O, CO and water vapor in the air.

Water sealing: For drugs that are highly volatile, toxic, easy to spontaneously combust, heavier than vertical water, and do not react with water or are miscible with water, water is often added to seal the remaining code, and then the bottle stopper is added. Such as liquid bromine, white phosphorus, etc.

Many households usually use a drawer to store a variety of commonly used medicines. However, these drugs are rarely stored correctly, so it is important to understand the basic requirements for drug storage. 1. Drugs should generally be closed, dry, and stored in the dark, and placed in a cool place at home with a low temperature.

A small number of medicines need to be refrigerated and should be handled according to the instructions, but be careful not to put the medicine in the freezer.

2. Keep the original packaging and drug instructions: The outer label of the medicine bottle or medicine box has important information such as the name of the drug, the method of taking, and the expiration date, and Lao Xun should be kept completely. Medicines should be kept in their original packaging to prevent mix-ups.

3. Except for a few varieties that need to be taken for a long time, do not store in large quantities. Regularly check the expiration date and quality of medicines, and it is recommended to clean them at least once every 3 months.

Fourth, drugs should be classified according to external use and internal use; Separate first-aid medicine from commonly used medicine; Geriatric and pediatric medicines are separated. All medicines should be kept out of reach of children, so as to avoid unrepentant and lenient reactions after children are naughty and eat. (Reviewed by the Municipal Health Commission).

If you don't have a refrigerator at home, but you need to store some commonly used medicines, you can consider touching the hidden belt method:

Store in the dark: Store the medicine in a dark, dry place, away from direct sunlight and humid environment. Sunlight and humidity may affect the stability and potency of the drug.

Maintain a stable temperature: The temperature at which medicines are stored varies depending on the type of medicine, so check the recommendations on the label of your medicine. Try to keep the medication stored at a stable temperature, away from extreme temperatures and temperature fluctuations.

Sealed preservation: Make sure that the container of the medicine is well sealed to prevent the effects of air and moisture on the drug. It can be sealed using a drug bottle cap, plastic wrap or a sealed bag, etc.

Classified storage: According to the type and characteristics of the world-based drugs, the drugs are classified and stored. For example, keep oral medications separate from topical medications to avoid cross-contamination or contamination.

Pay attention to expiration dates: Check the expiration date of your medicine regularly and follow the instructions on the package of your medicine. Expired medications may reduce potency or cause adverse effects, so do not use expired medications.

It is important to note that these methods are suitable for some routine medicine storage, but for specific medicines or special situations, it is best to follow the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. If you have special requirements or questions about the storage of medications, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for advice.

How to store medicines:

1. Different types of drugs should not be mixed and stored: prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs, external drugs and internal drugs, and drugs with special odor or toxicity should be stored separately;

2. Drugs should be sealed and stored: the mouth of the bottle should be sealed for drugs packaged in glass bottles, and the drugs packaged with other materials should be tightly bandaged; Volatile drugs, such as iodine wine, camphor, alcohol, etc., should be sealed and stored to avoid strong light and fire;

3. Refrigerated storage of special drugs: some drugs can only be stored for a short time at room temperature, so they should be stored in the refrigerator refrigerator, otherwise they are easy to deteriorate and fail;

4. Traditional Chinese medicine should be placed in a dry and ventilated place to prevent mildew and insect damage;

5. All kinds of drugs should be labeled: try to keep the original label intact. The peeling and blurred labels should be re-subsidized, and the name, use, usage, dosage, and precautions of the original drug should be retained;

6. Clean up expired and deteriorated drugs in a timely manner: Drugs have an expiration date, and expired, moldy and deteriorated drugs should be cleaned out of the family medicine box in time.

If there is no need to store leftover medicines, dispose of them in garbage. The medicine should be poured out of the package before discarding (do not discard the whole packet to prevent others from eating it or using it by mistake).

Keep medicines out of the reach of children, and do not use them as toys.

It is best to store drugs separately, such as internal drugs and external drugs, which should be stored separately. The instructions should also be kept for future reference. Do not use the bottle of one medicine to fill another medicine, so as to avoid misuse and danger.

Medicines that need to be refrigerated, such as insulin, rifampicin eye drops, etc., should be kept in the refrigerator compartment and never in the freezer.

Drugs that need to be protected from light, and drugs that are easy to oxidize and deteriorate in the air, such as vitamin C, nitroglycerin, etc., should be placed in a closed brown bottle.

Medicines that need to be moisture-proof, such as dry yeast, vitamin B, compound licorice tablets, etc., should be placed in an airtight container and the cap should be tightened after use.

Pay attention to the expiration date, should be checked frequently, expired drugs should be discarded in time, so as not to find the expiration date when using, and then go to buy medicine, delaying the best time to take medicine.

Many families have this problem: they want to save the medicine they can't eat or can't use for the next time, but they often spoil before the expiration date. Most pharmaceutical products are susceptible to physical and chemical changes due to environmental factors, and common causes of these changes include light, moisture, and temperature.

Therefore, storing the medicine accurately according to the instructions of the instructions will undoubtedly prolong the life of the medicine.

Oral cartridges (oral discharge medications).

If the outer packaging is not damaged, the expiration date set by the original factory shall prevail.

Oral bulk medications.

After dispensing, according to the period of the dispensing medicine bag (if there is any abnormality, it should be discarded).

Topical ointments. As long as there is no deterioration, the expiration date set by the original factory shall prevail, and if it is a bulk ointment, the shelf life shall be three to six months.

Topical solutions (aqueous solutions or suspensions) have a shelf life of three to six months.

Oral solution (oral aqueous solution or suspension) Depending on the product, the shelf life is between one and four weeks.

Eye drops, ointment one month after opening.

Not everything can be stuffed in the fridge! In fact, the storage temperature of drugs is very diverse, and the World Health Organization has summarized the following possibilities:

Frozen at -20°C, at which vaccines are usually stored, and storage facilities are set up by specialized institutions.

Refrigeration is between 2°-8°C, usually refers to the lower cabinet of the household refrigerator, for example, insulin for diabetics should be stored at 4°C when unopened. This temperature range can also be used for short-term storage of vaccines.

Shade between 8°-15°C.

Room temperature between 15°-25°C.

Moisture and light are also not welcome to medicines.

In addition to temperature, humidity and light are also factors that contribute to the deterioration of medicines, such as aspirin, which can break down due to heat or humidity, producing substances that are harmful to the stomach. In terms of humidity, WHO recommends that medicines be stored in an environment with a relative humidity of less than 60%.

Through the above explanation, it can be found that the storage environment of the medicine is not only refrigerated, but also before stuffing the medicine into the refrigerator, carefully recall the instructions of the doctor or pharmacist, and do not make your own decisions.

Generally speaking, drugs are divided into topical drugs and internal drugs, and the two are used in different ways, and if they are placed in the same container, they may lead to accidental ingestion of topical drugs, so it is the right choice to store them separately.

1. It should be put in the refrigerator (medicine:

Injections: such as (insulin) used in diabetic patients. Usually, insulin should be kept refrigerated in the refrigerator.

The drug should be protected from heat, direct sunlight or freezing. However, if it is not possible to refrigerate it in the refrigerator, insulin should also be stored at room temperature below 25 for no more than 6 weeks.

Liniments: Since most liniments contain volatile solvents, such as alcohol, etc. Therefore, the liniment should be tightly capped and refrigerated after use. In this way, the drug can be stored for a longer period of time without becoming ineffective.

Topical medicines: such as eye drops, nasal drops, ear drops, lotions, and mouthwashes. Such medicines are also in the summer. It should be kept refrigerated in the refrigerator for a longer shelf life.

Suppositories: When the temperature is too high, the suppositories will soften and will not be easy to use. Therefore, in the hot summer, the suppositories should be refrigerated in the refrigerator or put in the refrigerator before use, and then taken out for use after it has hardened.

2. Medicines that should not be put in the refrigerator:

Tablets and capsules: Tablets and capsules should not be stored in the refrigerator. In addition, due to the high humidity in summer, do not discard the attached desiccant after opening the packaging box or bottle of the medicine, so as not to invalidate the drug.

If the medicine is not used up, the desiccant should be placed in the original bottle. If the medicine is loose tablets or capsules, it should be stored in a glass or plastic bottle protected from light. In addition, different medicines must be stored separately.

Powder: Powder is mostly used by children. Most of these medicines are sealed with moisture-proof wax paper.

In order to make it easier for children to take, many powders are added with additives to improve the taste. However, because additives can promote the deterioration reaction of drugs, the powder can only be stored at room temperature for 3-5 days at most after opening; In case of wet weather, it is also necessary to pay attention to moisture. If the powder has been opened, if it is not used temporarily, it should be discarded immediately to avoid leaving hidden dangers.

Liquid preparations: such as cough syrup, (cold syrup, etc.) These syrup preparations generally do not need to be kept in the refrigerator after opening, and can be stored at room temperature.

Because if the temperature is too low, it will reduce the solubility of syrup drugs, and it is easy to precipitate the sugars in the syrup to form crystals, which will lead to changes in the concentration of syrup drugs.

Cream: When storing topical cream, if the temperature is too low, it can cause delamination of the cream matrix, affect the uniformity of the ointment, and reduce its efficacy. Therefore, the ointment should not be refrigerated in the refrigerator, but stored at room temperature.