If you wouldn't drink milk that was two months past its expiration date, why would you consider taking medication that was outdated? Over time, the chemical makeup and potency of medications changes.

Taking outdated medications may also mean you are taking a pill that is not going to help you, says Mary Ross, UI Hospitals and Clinics pharmacy supervisor. Many medications become ineffective past their expiration date. Heat, cold, and moisture also can affect a medication's potency. That's why the bathroom medicine cabinet may not be the best place to store your medications. And it's probably not the safest place to keep medications away from children. Even if your medicine cabinet is "high up," children are inquisitive and avid climbers.

"They can easily reach a cabinet by climbing from the toilet (or other convenient object) to the sink and thus reach the cabinet," Ross says. Create a child-proof area that can be locked. Keep medication lids tightly closed. A child-resistant cap is meaningless if not properly fastened after each use.

Keep your medications in the container they come in because the amber colored prescription bottles reduce the amount of light that reaches the medicine. Avoid mixing different pills in one container. They may chemically react or you may mistakenly take the wrong pill. Keeping your medication in the original container helps insure that you are taking the medication you intend to take and in the dosage recommended.

It also makes it easier to call your pharmacist for a refill if one has been authorized. Don't call your pharmacist if you need a new prescription or to renew your current prescription, only your doctor can do that.

Prescription safety

• Use only one pharmacy for all prescriptions.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and non-prescription medications as well as the herbal or alternative medicines you take.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any drug allergies you have or problems or side effects you have had with your medications.
• Never take medications prescribed for another.
• Don't stop taking your medication because you begin to feel better. Complete the prescription.
• Throw away outdated medications.
• Never take medication in the dark. Turn on the light and double-check what you are taking.
• Don't take more than the recommended dosage without consulting your doctor.
• Consult with your doctor or pharmacist about the possible reaction alcohol or other drugs may have on your medication.

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U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Your Medicine Cabinet Needs an Annual Checkup, Too

FDA's Tips for Taking Medicines
How to Get the Most Benefits with the Fewest Risks

National Institute on Aging
Medicines: Use Them Safely

Information for the Patient from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices

Listed above are several Web sites that offer additional information on this topic. University of Iowa Health Care does not sponsor or endorse these sites, or guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on these sites. These links are here for general information only, and should not be used for personal diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions, please contact UI Health Access.