Revision of the first aid kit-how to find out whether the medicines are spoiled

How long have you been putting things right in your home medicine cabinet? Look right now, and you will find crumbled pills and overdue syrups. Such drugs must be ruthlessly discarded.

And if the instructions for the use of the drug are lost or unknown, where and how were the medicines stored? Really throw? Yes! All medications without instructions for use, with an unreadable shelf life, bubbles without labels should be discarded.

In the home medicine cabinet, only medications should be left within the expiry date, with the packaging intact and having instructions for use. They should have a label indicating the dosage form (tablets, ointment, suppository, etc.), dosage, international non-proprietary name, trade name.

How can I tell if the medicine is spoiled?

Pills. Pay attention to the tablets were whole, not crumbled, did not change the color (the color is indicated in the annotation to the drug).

Capsules. If the capsules are deformed, changed the solid stable form, adhere, they must be discarded.

Ointments, liniments. Liniments are liquid ointments for topical application. For liniments, for example, is Vishnevsky’s ointment. If the ointments are characterized by an elastic-ductile viscous consistency, the lines melt at the temperature of the human body. Signs of damage to ointments and liniments are wateryness, heterogeneity, discoloration, lumps, granularity, and for ointments also increased fluidity.

Drops in the nose, eyes, ears and medications in a liquid form. Watch out if you find a deposit on the bottom or walls of the bubble, discoloration or smell, clouding.

Candles. Do not use candles that have changed color and smell, with damage and cracks.

Shelf life of medicines.

The shelf life of medicines is indicated on the packaging next to the date of production, number and batch series. After the expiration date, the medicines not only lose their effectiveness, but also become unsafe. The consequences of taking overdue medications are not the responsibility of the producer, but the patient.

Where to store medicines

The storage conditions for medicines are indicated in the instructions and on the packaging. Most often, two temperature regimes are used to store medicines: room temperature (from +17 ° C to +22 ° C) and a lower temperature (+ 5 ° C to + 15 ° C). In the refrigerator, they store candles, some preparations for injections and ointments, the storage conditions of which require a lower temperature. Keep medicines in the refrigerator in a plastic bag and on a separate shelf, away from food. Please note that the medicines must be cooled, but not frozen.

How to transport medicines?

What to do if you need to take a medicine on a trip or on vacation, requiring storage in the refrigerator? Deviation from the temperature conditions of storage of the drug can make its effect unpredictable and even dangerous. To transport medicines that need to be stored in the refrigerator, it is reasonable to purchase a medical thermo-container or a portable refrigerator bag in the pharmacy.

The home medicine chest should contain the medicines needed for first aid and medicines, which are constantly used by family members with chronic diseases. Do not buy drugs “in reserve”, even if they are expected to rise in price. From long-term storage, medications lose their effectiveness. In addition, over time, there are new, more effective means.

And the last tip: do not take medicines with handfuls, without the appointment of a doctor, strictly adhere to the dosage and way of consumption. Joint use of some drugs can neutralize their effect, and in the worst case – have the opposite effect.