Who else and who least keeps various antibiotics at home, something normal since it is the most powerful weapon in Medicine modern. However, we do not always worry about conserving correctly these medicines, which can pose a serious health risk. Today November 18 is the European Day for the prudent use of Antibiotics and on the occasion of this celebration, we do not want to miss the opportunity to recall some important tips for the conservation of antibiotics.
In addition to the advice that we are going to mention below, it should be remembered that it is essential read the leaflet of each medicine as soon as we bring it home. In this document, which includes all antibiotics and medications, information is included on the correct way of storage in each case. Make sure you read the instructions well, write down the date of purchase and opening of the product on the container and follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding its use and conservation.
How to Store Antibiotics
The first thing you should to know is whether the antibiotic in question should be kept cold or not, since the conditions change in each case. To find out, you just have to read well the leaflet that accompanies the medicine in its container, as we recommended a moment ago. Antibiotics that do not need refrigeration should be stored as follows:
- Always keep antibiotics in their original container. In this way, you can always check the expiration date. Write down on the container the day you start consuming it, as well as its usefulness and the person who is taking it. This way, you will not run the risk of another member of the family taking a medicine that has not been prescribed.
- Store antibiotics in a cool place, dry and away from sunlight. Choose a closet that does not receive heat directly, try to put the antibiotics in a box that you can close well. Also, make sure there is out of the reach of children and pets, if you have them.
To preserve antibiotics that need refrigeration, such as insulins, vaccines, and some antibiotics, the recommendations are as follows:
- Avoid breaking the cold chain. This is essential to prevent the drug from being altered, since could stop being effective and even be dangerous.
- Beware of the expiration date. Since thermolabile drugs, which are those that need refrigeration, tend to have a much shorter shelf life. Check medications often that you keep in the fridge.
- In summer, be careful with transportation of heat-labile medications. As we already said, it is very important that the cold chain is not broken with this type of medicine. If you buy them in summer, try to bring a refrigerated fridge to transport the drug to your home safely.
How to dispose of antibiotics
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Antibiotics should always be consumed and in any case, following the doctor's instructions when prescribing it. It is essential to finish the treatment exactly when indicated and once it is finished, dispose of that medicine so that it is not misused. Under no circumstances should antibiotics be used without a prescription, it is a very widespread and very dangerous custom. What's more, taking an antibiotic when you are no longer on your period consumption can be toxic in some cases.
So it is very important to be very careful with how to store antibiotics at home. When it is no longer necessary to take the medicine, it is appropriate to take it to the pharmacy and deposit it at the SIGRE point. Thus, all drug destruction processes can be carried out correctly, recycling in each case the possible material and correctly eliminating everything that may be toxic.
Throwing useless medicines in the trash is very polluting and harmful to the environment. Contribute to the conservation of the planet with a simple gesture, in all pharmacies you can find the SIGRE point to dispose of medicines and antibiotics that no longer work.