Store medications in a cool, dry place away from light and moisture

The bathroom medicine cabinet is the worst place for most medications. Heat, humidity, and light break down the active ingredients in pills, liquids, and inhalers faster than anything else in your home. A bedroom closet, pantry shelf, or kitchen cabinet away from the stove works better—anywhere the temperature stays between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and doesn't get damp.

Check your prescription label for storage instructions specific to each medication. Some drugs need to stay in the refrigerator (insulin, certain antibiotics). Others must avoid cold. A few medications are sensitive enough that the pharmacy will have printed storage details on the label itself. If the label says nothing, room temperature in a dry place is the standard.

Keep medications in their original bottles with the label attached. The label tells you the drug name, dose, expiration date, and any warnings. If you transfer pills to a pill organizer for the week, keep the original bottle too—you need it to check the expiration date and confirm what you're taking if something goes wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • Store medications in a cool, dry place between 60 and 75 degrees, not in the bathroom where heat and humidity degrade them.
  • Keep all medications in their original labeled bottles so you can verify the drug name, dose, and expiration date at a glance.
  • Store medications out of reach of children and pets, either in a locked cabinet or on a high shelf they cannot access.
  • Check expiration dates every six months and dispose of expired medications at a pharmacy take-back program, not in the trash or toilet.
  • Label any pill organizer with the medication name and dose, and refill it only once a week to avoid confusion about what you have taken.

Keep medications out of reach of children and pets

Medications that are safe for you can poison a child or pet in a single dose. Store all prescription drugs in a cabinet with a lock, or on a shelf at least five feet high that a child cannot climb to and a pet cannot jump onto. This includes over-the-counter pain relievers, cold medicines, and vitamins—children do not distinguish between prescription and non-prescription.

If you live with children or have them visit, a locked cabinet is more reliable than a high shelf. Locking cabinets cost $20 to $100 and mount inside existing kitchen or bathroom cabinets. If a locked cabinet is not possible, a locking box designed for medications (sometimes called a medication safe) sits on a shelf and keeps both children and pets out.

Keep medications in their original child-resistant bottles. If your pharmacy gives you a regular cap instead of a child-resistant one, ask for the safety cap—pharmacies provide them at no extra cost. Do not remove the safety cap to make the bottle easier for you to open; instead, ask the pharmacy for an easy-open cap that is still child-resistant, or ask a family member to help you open the bottle.

Organize medications so you know what you are taking and when

A simple system prevents you from taking the wrong dose or forgetting whether you took your medication. Write down each prescription on a piece of paper: the drug name, the dose, and the time of day you take it. Keep this list in your wallet or on your phone. If you go to a doctor or emergency room, you can show them exactly what you are taking without guessing.

A weekly pill organizer (also called a pill box) with seven compartments—one for each day—helps you see at a glance whether you took today's dose. Fill it once a week, on the same day each week. Label each compartment with the day and date. If you take medications at different times of day, use a pill organizer with multiple compartments per day (morning, noon, evening, bedtime).

Do not fill a pill organizer more than one week in advance. Medications degrade faster in a pill organizer than in their original bottles because they are exposed to light and air. If you travel or stay away from home, fill only the days you will be gone, and bring the original bottles with you so a pharmacist or doctor can see what you are taking.

Check expiration dates and dispose of old medications correctly

Expired medications may not work as intended, and some can become toxic. Check the expiration date on each bottle every six months. If a medication has expired, do not use it. Write the expiration date on your calendar as a reminder to check before the date arrives.

Do not throw expired medications in the trash or flush them down the toilet unless the label specifically says to do so. Most medications contaminate water supplies and harm aquatic life. Instead, take expired and unused medications to a pharmacy take-back program. Most pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and independent pharmacies) accept medications for free disposal at the counter—you do not need a receipt or the original bottle.

If your pharmacy does not have a take-back program, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) runs a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day twice a year (usually in April and October). You can also search for a local take-back location on the DEA website. Some police departments accept medications at their station. Never leave medications in a place where someone else might find and take them.

Manage refills so you do not run out unexpectedly

Running out of a medication—especially one you take every day for a chronic condition—can be dangerous. Most pharmacies let you refill a prescription three to five days before you run out. Set a phone reminder for the day you can refill, or ask the pharmacy to send you a text or email reminder when a refill is available.

If you take multiple medications, try to refill them all on the same day each month. Ask your pharmacy if they can synchronize your refills so they are all due on the same date. This makes it easier to remember and reduces the number of trips to the pharmacy.

If you travel, refill medications before you leave home. If you run out while traveling, call your home pharmacy and ask them to transfer the prescription to a pharmacy near where you are staying. Bring a copy of your medication list (the one you keep in your wallet) so any pharmacy can fill your prescription quickly.

Store medications safely during travel and in temporary housing

When you travel, keep medications in their original labeled bottles in a carry-on bag or with you at all times—never in checked luggage where they can be lost or exposed to extreme temperatures. If you fly internationally, bring a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating the medication name and dose, in case customs questions why you have it.

If you stay in a hotel or temporary housing, keep medications in the same cool, dry place you would at home. Do not leave them on the bathroom counter or in direct sunlight. If you share a room with others, store medications in a locked bag or cabinet so no one takes them by mistake.

If you stay in someone else's home, ask for a cool, dry shelf or cabinet space that is separate from the household's other medications. Label your medications clearly so family members do not confuse them with their own. Keep your medication list with you in case you need to see a local doctor.

Handle special storage needs for inhalers, insulin, and liquid medications

Inhalers must stay at room temperature and away from heat. Do not leave an inhaler in a hot car or in direct sunlight. If an inhaler gets too cold, it may not work properly. Check the label for the exact temperature range. Some inhalers (like albuterol rescue inhalers) work best between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Insulin must be refrigerated before you open it, usually between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you open a vial or pen, it can stay at room temperature for 28 days (check your specific insulin's label). Mark the date you opened it on the vial with a pen. After 28 days, throw it away even if there is insulin left. Use an insulated travel case if you are away from a refrigerator for more than a few hours.

Liquid medications (syrups, suspensions, eye drops) are sensitive to temperature and light. Store them in the refrigerator only if the label says to do so. Most liquid medications stay at room temperature in a dark cabinet. Shake the bottle before each dose if the label says to shake. Write the date you opened the bottle on the label; most liquids expire 14 to 30 days after opening, even if the bottle says a later date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I store medications in the refrigerator if the label does not say to?

No. Cold can damage most medications. Refrigerate only medications the label specifically says to refrigerate (insulin, certain antibiotics, some eye drops). If you are unsure, ask the pharmacist before you store it.

What should I do if a child swallows a medication that is not theirs?

Call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222 (available 24 hours). Have the medication bottle in front of you so you can tell them the drug name and dose. Do not wait to see if symptoms develop. Poison Control will tell you whether the child needs medical care.

Is it safe to use a medication after the expiration date?

Expired medications may not work as intended and can sometimes become unsafe. Do not use them. Take expired medications to a pharmacy take-back program for disposal instead.

Can I put all my medications in one pill organizer if I take them at different times of day?

No. Use a pill organizer with separate compartments for each time of day (morning, noon, evening, bedtime), or use separate organizers for each time. This prevents you from taking the wrong dose at the wrong time.

What if I cannot afford a locked medication cabinet?

A high shelf (at least five feet up) that children cannot reach is the next best option. If you have pets that jump, a locking box designed for medications costs $20 to $50 and is more affordable than a cabinet. Ask your pharmacist if they know of low-cost options in your area.