Safe Medicine Storage at Home

Why storage matters

Where and how you keep your medicines affects both how well they work and how safe they are around the home. Heat, damp and light can break medicines down, while poor storage can put children, pets or vulnerable adults at risk. A little thought about storage protects everyone in the household.

The bathroom myth

Many people keep medicines in the bathroom cabinet, yet this is often one of the worst places. Bathrooms get warm and humid, especially after showers, and that moisture and heat can affect tablets, capsules and creams. A cool, dry cupboard elsewhere, away from the cooker and sink in the kitchen too, is usually a better choice.

General storage principles

Most medicines do best when kept:

• In a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight
• In their original packaging, with the leaflet kept alongside
• Away from extremes of temperature
• Out of reach and sight of children and pets

The patient information leaflet gives the specific storage instructions for your medicine, including whether it needs the fridge. Our guide on how to read a patient information leaflet shows you where to find this.

Keep the original packaging

It is tempting to decant tablets into smaller pots, but the original packaging matters. It protects the medicine, carries the expiry date and batch information, and keeps the dosing instructions to hand. Blister packs and amber bottles are designed to shield medicines from light and moisture. If you use a pill organiser for convenience, keep the original boxes as well so you can check details and expiry dates.

Fridge medicines

Some medicines, such as certain liquids and specialist treatments, must be kept refrigerated. If yours needs the fridge:

• Store it as directed, usually not in the door where temperatures swing most
• Keep it away from the freezer compartment, as freezing can ruin many medicines
• Make sure it is out of children's reach
• Do not assume it is fine if it has been left out; check the leaflet or ask a pharmacist

Keeping medicines away from children

Medicines should always be stored where children cannot see or reach them, ideally in a locked or high cupboard. Child-resistant caps help but are not childproof. Be especially careful with handbags, bedside tables and visitors' belongings, which are common places children find medicines. The same care applies to pets, who can be seriously harmed by human medicines.

Travel and out-and-about

When carrying medicines:

• Keep them in original packaging, with the leaflet
• Avoid leaving them in hot cars or in direct sun
• For temperature-sensitive medicines, ask a pharmacist about suitable travel storage
• Carry a little more than you need in case of delays

Reviewing your supplies

It is worth checking your medicine supplies now and then. Look for anything past its expiry date, any medicines you no longer use, and anything that looks or smells different from usual. Our guide on expired medicines: what to know explains how to handle these safely, and never simply flush them away or bin loose tablets.

Disposing safely

When medicines are out of date or no longer needed, the safest route is usually to return them to a pharmacy, which can dispose of them properly. This keeps them out of reach of others and protects the environment.

In short

Good storage is simple: cool, dry, in the original packaging, and well out of reach of children and pets, following the leaflet for any special instructions. You can browse our shop all range or visit the FAQ for ordering questions.

General information only — not medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet and consult a doctor or pharmacist before starting any medication.