Storing your medicines

Where you store your medicines can affect how well it works. Learn about storing your medicines properly to keep it from getting damaged.

Take care of your medicines.

• Know that heat, air, light, and moisture may damage your medicines.
• Store your medicines in a cool, dry place. For example, store them in your dresser drawer or a kitchen cabinet away from the stove, sink, and any hot appliances. You can also store medicines in a storage box, on a shelf, or in a closet.
• If you are like most people, you probably store your medicines in a bathroom cabinet. But the heat and moisture from your shower, bath, and sink may damage your medicines. Your medicines can become less potent, or they may go bad before the expiration date.
• Pills and capsules are easily damaged by heat and moisture. Aspirin pills break down into vinegar and salicylic acid. This irritates the stomach.
• Always keep medicines in their original container.
• Take the cotton ball out of the medicine bottle. The cotton ball pulls moisture into the bottle.
• Ask your pharmacist about any specific storage instructions.

Keep children safe.

• Always store your medicines out of reach and out of sight of children.
• Store your medicines in a cabinet with a child latch or lock.

Damaged medicines may make you sick. Do not take:

• Medicines that have changed color, texture, or smell, even if it has not expired
• Pills that stick together are harder or softer than normal, or are cracked or chipped

Get rid of unused medicine safely and promptly.

• Check the expiration date on your medicines. Throw out medicines that are out of date.
• Do not keep old or unused medicines around. They go bad and you should not use them.
• With the exception of medicines on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) "flush list", do not flush any medicine down the sink or toilet.
• To throw away a medicine in the trash, first mix it with something that ruins it, such as coffee grounds or kitty litter. Put the entire mixture in a sealed plastic bag.
• You can also bring unused medicines to your pharmacist.
• Use community "drug give back" programs if they are available.
• Visit the FDA website for more information: How to dispose of unused medicines.

Do not keep medicines in the glove compartment of your car. Medicines can get too hot, cold, or wet there.

If you are taking an airplane, keep your medicines in your carry-on luggage. To help with security at the airport:

• Keep medicines in the original bottles.
• Ask your health care provider for a copy of all your prescriptions. You may need this in case you lose, run out, or damage your medicines.
• If you have diabetes, ask your provider for a letter explaining that you have diabetes and providing a list of all your supplies. You are allowed to carry your medicines, blood glucose meter, and lancet device on a plane.

Contact your provider for:

• New prescriptions before you throw out your old medicines
• A letter describing your condition, medicines, and supplies when needed

Medications - storing

US Food & Drug Administration website. Drug disposal: FDA's flush list for certain medicines. www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-fdas-flush-list-certain-medicines. Updated October 31, 2024. Accessed February 23, 2026.

US Food & Drug Administration website. Properly store medications to keep your pet safe. www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/properly-store-medications-keep-your-pet-safe. Updated June 14, 2024. Accessed February 23, 2026.

US Food & Drug Administration website. Where and how to dispose of unused medicines. www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines. Updated April 16, 2025. Accessed February 23, 2026.

Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.