(NC)—Over 55% of women and 40% of men over the age of 65 are on more than five drugs.* With statistics like that, it's clear many boomers and elderly people already have their hands full simply managing their often complicated medication regimens, let alone cleaning out the medicine cabinet. But some may be surprised to learn that unused, expired or improperly stored medications stockpiled in our homes can actually be a major source of danger to you, our families and even the environment.
With spring just around the corner, adding the medicine cabinet to your spring cleaning checklist will help you stay healthier. Checking your medicine cabinet regularly helps you ensure all the contents are up–to-date and stored safely so next time your arthritis starts acting up, your medication can really be 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 pharmacies are offering medication disposal for free and a handy medicine disposable bag and check list to help you keep your medicine cabinet and your health in tip top shape. Here are some tips from Rexall to help you get started:
• Store your medication in a large Tupperware container in a cool, dry place out of reach of children and pets.
• The bathroom and kitchen are not the best places to keep your medication because of the heat and humidity.
• Don't throw your medication down the drain or in the garbage – take your unused or expired medication to your local Rexall pharmacy for environmentally safe disposal.
• Use your local 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, the expiry date and how to use it.
• The top 5 most important items to have your medicine cabinet are: assorted bandages, short acting allergy relief medication, such as Rexall Allergy Relief, Acetaminophen, motion sickness medication, 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
Source: www.newscanada.com
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