How to best store medications and what does it mean when they have to be stored at room temperature?
Q
I’ve always been curious what ‘room temperature’ means. With airconditioning, the temperature in my room is lower than outside.
So when I am prescribed a medication to be stored at room temperature, what exactly are we talking about? Should I put my medications in the refrigerator if the weather is too hot?
A
Medications that are to be stored at room temperature have to be kept at between 18°C and 25°C. Temperatures in Singapore typically fluctuate between 24°C and 33°C, but the majority of medications can withstand the higher temperatures and are good for use till their indicated expiry dates. There is no need to store medications under special conditions like an air-conditioned room, but it is important to avoid direct light and moisture.
It is also not advisable to store medications meant to be stored at room temperature in the refrigerator as they can be damaged by the cold. Some medications like insulin, prescribed to patients with diabetes, require refrigeration. Medications that must be stored in the fridge should be kept inside the main compartment of the refrigerator, and not the fridge door or near the vent areas, where temperatures may fluctuate too much.
Read and follow the instructions on medication labels before storing your medications. Avoid collecting more medicine than needed. Just a couple of weeks extra before the next appointment should be enough.
Dr Lim Kiat Wee
Senior Principal Clinical Pharmacist, Singapore General Hospital
For more on OTC meds, tune in to SGH’s Perfectly Imperfect podcast on this issue. Visit this weblink |
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