Safeguarding Medicines

Store, use and dispose medicines safely

Reviewed By:
Rafiu Ariganjoye, M.D., MBA, FAAP

medicine safety When you or your child is sick, the right medicine can help. But it can also do harm if used improperly. To keep kids safe:

Store them right

Always keep medications in their original containers, with all their original labels and warnings.
Make sure medications have child-resistant caps. If your pharmacist gives you medications without child-resistant caps, ask if any child safety precautions are necessary.
Make sure caps are fully tightened and locked, and relocked after every use.
Store medicines in a locked box, cabinet or closet, well out of your child's reach, and preferably out of sight.
Most medications should be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or light. Don't keep them in damp places (such as bathrooms).
Some medicines need to be refrigerated, but never let any medications freeze.
Never leave medications within easy reach of children, even for a moment. That includes kitchen tables, countertops, bedside tables, and dressers. It only takes a moment for kids to grab and swallow medicines.
If you or any guests have medicines in a purse or bag, make sure you keep the bag well out of reach of children.

Give them safely

Never give your child any medicines prescribed for anyone else.
Know what's in the medicine you're giving your kids. Check the active ingredients and make sure you don't give your child any over-the-counter medications with the same active ingredients as any of his or her prescription medications. Doubling up active ingredients could result in an overdose.
Always turn on the light when giving medicine to your child, even in the middle of the night. In the dark, it's easy to give the wrong dose or the wrong medicine.
Read the label carefully each time. Look for any signs of tampering, the name of the medicine, the name of the person it's prescribed to, the dosage, how often and when to give it, and how it should be taken (e.g., swallowed, chewed)

Remember to follow the directions closely. Discuss dosing with your pediatrician so you know what to do if you miss a dose or if your child spits out part of a dose. Always give your child the exact dosage recommended by the pediatrician, and maintain your medicine schedule. And, if your children are old enough to take their medicines on their own, always watch them take their medications to make sure they're taking them correctly.

Discard them responsibly

All medications have expiration dates. Check these dates often, and dispose of all expired medications. Take precautions so that children, pets or others cannot get into them:

Don't flush them down the toilet. It could compromise the water supply.
To keep unwanted medications from being used by others (accidentally or intentionally), crush them or dissolve them in water, then mix them with sawdust, cat littler, coffee grounds or similar substances. Then seal the crushed or dissolved medications in a locking plastic bag or other secure container and throw them away, out of children's reach.
Talk to your local pharmacy about how to dispose of unused medicines. Many will take them and dispose of them for you.
Before you dispose of any potentially hazardous medications or medical devices, such as needles or chemotherapy medications, contact your state's department of health to find out what the laws and regulations require. Your doctor's office may also be able to help.