Written by 1:36 am Prescription Drugs

Prescription Storage Tips for Summer

I love what Gertrude Jekyll, the British artist and horticulturist, once wrote: “What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade.” 

Here we are in June, the beginning of our summer here in the U.S., but for all its BEAUTY it can still be something of a BEAST with respect to certain prescription medications.  As the thermometer rises, there are a few specific concerns that those who use medications should be aware of.  Allow me, therefore, just a moment of this precious season to remind you about some summertime medication concerns.

SUMMER STORAGE TIPS

The FIRST thing to remember is that most medicines should be stored at “room temperature” meaning anywhere from 59 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 30 degrees Celsius).  Outside this temperature window, our medications can quickly become ineffective and may expire more quickly.  This is fairly easy to accomplish in the winter, but depending on your access to air conditioning that temperature might easily be exceeded in summer.  Also, since summertime might mean traveling and vacation, we might be tempted to store medication in the car trunk or even leave it in the glove box.  DON’T DO THIS!!  Remember – a car that is sitting in the sun on a normal summer day in the high 80’s to low 90’s can easily reach inside temperatures of over 100 degrees when the windows are closed! 

Medicine that needs refrigeration, like insulin, some antibiotics, some eye drops and some inhalers are especially sensitive to heat and really need to be properly stored.  Always check your specific medication for correct storage temperatures, or ask your pharmacist or physician.  Brining a cooler with frozen ice packs in which to store your medication while traveling in the car is a good idea.

And heat isn’t the only storage concern.  Most medications need to be stored AWAY from direct sunlight and AWAY from excessive moisture.  In other words, the traditional “bathroom medicine cabinet” is not actually the idea place (due to shower moisture and temperature fluctuations) to keep our prescription drugs (or other medicines for that matter).  A kitchen or bedroom cabinet, out of the reach of children, is probably a better choice.

PHOTOSENSITIVITY

SECONDLY, sunburn is another summertime medication concern.  Some prescription medications can cause a special type of sensitivity to the sun which will cause a reaction similar to sunburn which will be quite painful.  This reaction is possible even if you are more likely to tan than burn. 

Which medications are most likely to cause this reaction?  The list is actually quite long.  Some of the more common culprits include drugs like hydrochlorothiazide (a diuretic), tetracycline and ciprofloxacin (antibiotics), isotretinoin (for acne), ibuprofen (a pain reliever) and glyburide (for diabetes).  There are many more as well, so be sure to see if your medication is one of them!  For a more comprehensive list, CLICK HERE.

Protecting your skin from unnecessary sun exposure is always a good idea, but especially so if you are on any of these medications.  Patients should limit their sun exposure during peak hours (10am-2pm), wear clothing that covers your skin and when sun exposure is unavoidable be sure to put on a good sunblock. 


DEHYDRATION AND HEAT STRESS

Finally, some prescription medications decrease our ability to regulate our body temperature.  This happens through a variety of mechanisms, but certain diuretics like furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide, antidepressants like fluoxetine, beta blockers and stimulants may put you at greater risk for heat-related conditions.  All patients, especially the elderly, should remember to stay well hydrated by drinking enough water and avoiding excessive amounts of caffeine when exposed to the summer sun for any length of time.

Ah yes, “perfect, young summer” is here.  And I hope these few reminders will help keep YOU and YOUR MEDICATIONS in good health as we enjoy the long-awaited warmth before us.

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©Jason Poquette and The Honest Apothecary.  Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts, quotes and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jason Poquette and The Honest Apothecary with appropriate and specific links to the original content. 

Last modified: December 31, 2014

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