Shall I Store My Medicines in Refrigerator?

What medicines should be preserved in a pharmacy refrigerator?

 

Almost all medicines should be kept in a cool, dry place, staying away from exposure to sunlight and moisture. Proper storage conditions are crucial for medication’s effectiveness and potency. Further, some medicines require specific storage conditions such as in a refrigerator, or even a freezer. Such medicines can expire quickly and become less effective or toxic, if they are improperly stored at room temperature

 

Not all medicines need to be refrigerated though. Non-refrigeration required medicines may be adversely ruined by the fluctuating temperatures during switching inside and outside of a refrigerator. Another problem for non-refrigeration required medicines is that the medicines may freeze inadvertently, becoming damaged by the solid hydrate crystals that form.

 

Please read the pharmacy labels carefully before storing your medicines at home. Only medicines that bear the instruction “Refrigerate, do not freeze” should be stored in the refrigerator, preferably in the main compartment away from the door or the cooling vent area.

 

Some examples of medicines that require refrigeration are hormone injections used during IVF (in vitro fertilization), and unopened vials of insulin. A few medicines require freezing, but an example would be vaccine injections. The below is a list of certain types of medications should be stored in the refrigerator to maintain their effectiveness and stability. These may include:

• Insulin: Insulin, especially unopened vials or pens, should be refrigerated to preserve its potency.
• Vaccines: Many vaccines, such as those for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, need to be stored in the refrigerator to maintain their efficacy.
• Biologics: Biologic medications, such as certain types of arthritis medications or medications for inflammatory bowel disease, may require refrigeration.
• Antibiotics: Some liquid antibiotics, such as amoxicillin suspension, may need refrigeration to maintain their effectiveness.
• Eye drops: Certain types of eye drops, particularly those that are preservative-free, may require refrigeration to prevent bacterial growth.
• Certain fertility medications: Some fertility medications, such as gonadotropins, may need refrigeration to preserve their potency.
• Growth hormone: Growth hormone medications often require refrigeration to maintain their stability.
• Some specialty medications: Certain specialty medications, such as those used for hemophilia or multiple sclerosis, may need refrigeration.

 

 

 

 

Learn your medicine and understand how to store it safely

 

Air, heat, light, and moisture may damage your medicine. So, please store your medicines in a cool, dry place. For instance, store it in your kitchen cabinet or a dresser drawer away from the sink, stove and any hot sources. You can also store medicine in a storage box, in a closet, or on a shelf.

 

storing your medicine in a bathroom cabinet might be not a good idea. Heat and moisture from your shower, bath, and sink may damage the medicine. Your medicines can become less potent, or they may turn bad before the expiration date. Capsules and pills are easily damaged by moisture and heat. Aspirin pills break down into salicylic and vinegar which irritates human stomach.

 

Always keep medicine in its original container, and don’t throw the drying agent. The drying agent such as silica gel can keep the medicine from becoming humidified. Ask your pharmacist about any specific storage instructions.

 

Keep children safe and always store your medicine out of reach and out of sight of children. Store your medicine in a cabinet with a child latch or lock.

 

Learn more about medical refrigerators for medication and pharmacy