Don’t leave your medicine in a hot car. Here’s how to protect your pills in this Texas heat
As blazing temperatures continue in North Texas, many are rushing to getout of the heat.
But don’t make the mistake of leaving your prescriptions or painkillers in your car, doctors at Baylor College of Medicine warn.
“Medications can be altered by extreme heat and even moisture, causing them to become less potent before their expiration dates,” said Dr. Hani Jneid, assistant professor of medicine at BCM.
Aspirin, for example, could dissolve into vinegar and salicylic acid, both of which might aggravate the stomach and ultimately cause the medicine to have unintended effects, Jneid said.
BCM physician Dr. Sara Bezek and her colleagues said some medications are more susceptible to heat than others.
“For example, medicine for hypothyroidism should be stored away from light and moisture and at a temperature no higher than 86 degrees Fahrenheit,” she said.
Higher temperatures can also cause open vials of insulin, a diabetic treatment that should be kept at room temperature, to lose its potency.
Medicine should be in its original container and stored away in a cool, dry place.
Tips for storing medication
- Do not leave medicine in a car unattended.
- Do not keep medicine in the glove box or trunk while driving; instead, it should be kept in the passenger areas of the car.
- Do not store medicine in the bathroom because of the high humidity and frequent temperature fluctuations
- All pharmaceuticals should be kept away from heat-generating appliances, such as those over refrigerators.
Pick up all mail-order medications right away to keep them out of the weather.
How do I know if my medicine has gone bad?
You could get sick from tainted medication. Avoid taking it if you notice:
- A change in color
- The capsules are sticking together
- It has an odor
- The texture is unusually hard or soft
Damaged medication can be disposed in a number of ways, including through medication disposal kiosks at CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens. To learn more about how to get rid of unwanted medications, visit the FDA website.
This story was originally published July 5, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
