Media Release Apr 30 2008

Does your medicine cabinet need a check up?

Sometimes opening the bathroom cabinet or medicine chest can mean ducking for cover to avoid an avalanche of old and new bottles and jars.

Most of us take some medication prescribed by a doctor. Add to this the usual collection of ‘across the counter’ remedies and tonics on hand for minor ailments and it can be standing room only in your medicine cabinet.

Of course it’s sensible to keep a supply of simple medications you know and trust but some of the stuff in your medicine cabinet could do more harm than good.

A medicine cabinet should not just be a place to find something to relieve the occasional headache or grazed knee, but also a central location to store things in case of emergency.

It’s important that your medicine cabinet contains adequate supplies to handle an emergency and that these supplies are in date. Old tablets, creams and other medications are not effective and can be dangerous.

An annual medicine cabinet ‘check up’ is recommended to read, remove and restock contents ensuring necessities are available and up to date.

Get ready to throw out any medication for which you don’t currently have a prescription. Unscrew the cap and look at any pills for which you do have a prescription. Are they in good shape? If they look discoloured, broken, or powdery, get a new prescription filled.

Place all out dated and unwanted medicines in a bag and take them to your local chemist for disposal. Do not flush medicine down the toilet or place in the garbage. It can contaminate water and soil.

Traditionally medicine cabinets have been positioned above the bathroom sink but this isn’t ideal. Rapid changes in bathroom temperature due to humidity can wreak havoc on medicines. Medicines may become ineffective and hazardous.

A much better medicine cabinet location is a cool, dry, central area. A high kitchen cupboard could be ideal, out of reach of children.

In an adult house it may be acceptable and convenient to have some medication within arm’s reach on a bedside table but beware of visiting grandchildren or others and ensure that you put such items away before they visit.

Equally, if you go to visit a house with children, make sure your pills and tablets are secured and not loose on a table or in your handbag. Pill bottles are small and rattle, leading small children to explore.

For those with children or grandchildren be sure to explain the difference between poison and sweets. For extra assurance fasten a child safety lock on a medicine cabinet door.

Remember that so-called ‘natural’, ‘complimentary’ or ‘alternative’ medications are potent. They can be very dangerous to children and animals. Keep them as safely secured as you would traditional medicines.

Alternative medications and over the counter medications can sometimes interact badly with prescription medications causing adverse reactions or interfering with the way prescribed medications are supposed to work.

Ask your doctor about how alternative or over the counter medications might affect the prescription medications you or your family member takes.

When administering ‘emergency’ treatments from the medicine cabinet read the directions carefully, paying close attention to dosage and who should and shouldn’t take the particular medication.

Emergencies can be upsetting. Read the instructions twice just to be sure the medication you are going to give or take is the right one.

Medicine cabinet medications should only be used for initial emergency treatment and minor ailments. If symptoms persist you must contact your doctor.

The Pharmacy at Royal North Shore Hospital recommends that healthy medicine cabinets contain:
• Pain relievers
• Antiseptics and antibiotic ointments
• Bandages- regular and adhesive
• Adhesive tape
• Analgesics, anti-inflammatory medication
• Diarrhoea, nausea and constipation medication
• Antacid
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Measuring spoon, medicine cup
• Gauze pads, thermometer
• Tweezers, scissors

If you have an elderly parent or friend, give their medicine cabinet a health check too. Most pharmacists will provide special daily medication dispensers to older folk to ensure they take the right pills at the right times. It means peace of mind for everyone.

Media Contact: Kristen Bunyard 9926 7199 or 0413 025 742

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