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When illness or injury strikes at home, your first line of defense is often the medicine chest. To make sure you're well prepared, it's important to take an inventory of your medicine supplies and stock up on basic necessities.
"There's no substitute for prompt, professional care when serious medical problems occur, but it's always wise to have a well-stocked medical kit that can help you effectively handle a number of minor medical problems," says Jeanelle Lund, a registered pharmacist at Hall Health Primary Care Center on campus.
To start, you should first take a careful look at the medicines you have on hand and get rid of any that are past their expiration date or are missing labels. Lund warns that you should never guess at something as important as the identity of a medication.
Next, look for signs of deterioration in medicines: sediment or cloudiness in a previously clear liquid; chipped, cracked, powdery or discolored tablets; sticky capsules; runny or unusual-smelling creams and ointments.
"The safest way to dispose of unwanted medicines is to empty the contents into the toilet," Lund says. The quantity of drugs discarded in this way is too small to harm the environment.
For a properly-equipped medical chest at home, Lund suggests having the following supplies on hand:
Where you store these supplies is important, Lund notes. "Avoid humid places like the bathroom or kitchen," she advises. "Keep all medicines locked away, not just on that 'high shelf' you think young children can't reach." ¶
Julie Rathbun