Don't Let The Medicine Cabinet Overwhelm You

Over 55% of women and 40% of men above the age of 65 are on more than five drugs*. Many boomers and elderly people already have their hands full simply managing their often complicated medication regimens, let alone cleaning out their medicine cabinets. It may come as a surprised to learn that unused, expired or improperly stored medications stockpiled in our homes can actually be a major source of danger to you, your family, and even the environment.

Spring-cleaning your medicine cabinet will help you stay healthier; checking your medicine cabinet regularly helps to make sure that all the contents are up-to-date and stored safely, and the next time your arthritis starts acting up; you’ll be certain that everything you need will be its most effective.

“Knowing what to look for is the first step in keeping a safe medicine cabinet, and your local pharmacist is a great resource,- explains Tracey Phillips, Director, Pharmacy, Rexall. -Your pharmacist can advise you on what you should have in your medicine cabinet year round; how to spot expired medications, explain proper storage, and help you dispose of your medications properly.”

During the months of March and April, Rexall family of pharmacies will be offering free medication disposal, a handy medicine disposal bag, and checklist to help keep your medicine organized and your health in tiptop shape.

Here are some tips from Rexall to help get you started:

• Store your medication in a large Tupperware container in a cool, dry place out of reach of children and pets.
• Because of the heat and humidity, your kitchen and bathroom are not ideal places to store medication.
• Don’t throw your medication down the drain or in the garbage. Take your unused or expired medication to your local Rexall™ family of pharmacies for environmentally safe disposal.
• Use the pharmacy for all your medication needs. This will help minimize the risk of meds being taken in unsafe combinations.
• Keep medication in its original labeled container so you know what’s in the bottle, its expiry date, and how to use it.
• The 5 most important items to have in your medicine cabinet are: assorted bandages, short acting allergy relief medication; (Rexall™ Allergy Relief), Acetaminophen, motion sickness, and anti-diarrheal medication.

Speak with your pharmacist or visit www.rexall.ca/medicinecabinet for more information on the dos and don’ts of medicine cabinet clean up. Happy cleaning!

*Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors, 2008