{"id":35951,"date":"2021-07-07T09:30:42","date_gmt":"2021-07-07T13:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=35951"},"modified":"2025-06-20T12:03:56","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T16:03:56","slug":"medication-safety-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medication-safety-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Summertime medication safety tips: How to keep your Rx protected when it\u2019s hot"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to medication safety, keeping bottles away from children or sticking to the prescribed dose might come to mind. But have you considered medication temperature storage and how the heat outside could affect your medicine? As spring turns to summertime, it\u2019s critical that your medication safety takes rising temperatures into account.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the best place to store medication?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Except for ones that require refrigeration, medication should be kept in a cool, dry place that\u2019s away from heat, cold, humidity, or light. \u201cMost medicines should be stored at 59 degrees Fahrenheit (F) to 77 F in a cool, dry place,\u201d suggests Barbara Young, Pharm.D., previously a project editor at<\/span> American Society of Health-System Pharmacists<\/span> (ASHP) Patient Medication Information. That means the bathroom medicine cabinet or atop the refrigerator is out. A better choice is in the bedroom, a hallway closet, or a storage area.<\/span><\/p>\n

Does heat affect medication?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Why does medicine storage matter so much? Medications are often manufactured in very specific conditions, and conditions that are too hot or cold can cause a change in the active ingredients. Extremes in temperature or humidity can lead to a release of degradation products, or impurities that form in poor storage conditions. This can result in reduced efficacy of the drug.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStorage conditions are extremely important to the overall integrity and quality of medications,\u201d says Irene V. Clavijo, Pharm.D., a pharmacy program manager for<\/span> Conviva Care Centers<\/span><\/a> based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. \u201cFollowing the manufacturer recommendations for proper storage is essential for preserving the active ingredient and preventing loss of potency of medications.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Medications exposed to high temperatures are unlikely to cause adverse effects. However, that doesn\u2019t mean they are still as effective as they were before being exposed to the extreme temperatures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cInsulin is a good example,\u201d Dr. Clavijo says. \u201cThis medication must be stored in the refrigerator until it is opened and, after that, it should be stored at room temperature. It can lose effectiveness if exposed to heat. Other life-saving medications, such as anti-seizure drugs, heart medications, or hormonal therapies, should not be exposed to heat at any time, as high temperatures can alter their effectiveness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Often, there aren\u2019t visible changes to medications that have lost potency due to improper storage conditions, but \u201cit is always recommended to look for discoloration, unusual odors, or changes in form or coating that may be indicators of compromised integrity of the product,\u201d explains Dr. Clavijo. Some insurance companies may offer a one-time replacement of medications that have been exposed to extreme heat.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can medicine make you more sun sensitive?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Medication storage isn\u2019t the only thing to consider in the summertime. <\/span>Photosensitivity<\/span><\/a>, a chemically induced change in the skin, can make you more sensitive to the sunlight and can be brought on by certain medications, usually appearing as an exaggerated sunburn, says Dr. Clavijo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many common medications can increase the risk of a<\/span>\u00a0photosensitive reaction<\/span><\/a>, including:<\/span><\/p>\n