Storage and shelf life of medicine

The medicine must be stored correctly to ensure its effect. Medicine can be sensitive to moisture or light. It is stored best in the package and in a dry place. The bathroom is not the best place to store your medicine. You can store most medicines at room temperature. Medicine should only be stored in the refrigerator if this is stated on the packaging.

If you need to use a dosette box, you must be sure that the medicine can withstand this. Medicine should be out of the reach of children. If you are in doubt as to how your medicine should be stored, you can ask at the pharmacy or read the medication’s patient information sheet. If you no longer have the patient information sheet, you can find the information at: minmedicin.dk

On the packaging of the medicine, you can see how long the medicine’s shelf life is. You should not take medicine which has expired. Some medicine only has a short shelf life after you have opened it. For example, this applies to eye drops, ear drops and insulin pens. It is a good idea to write on the packaging when it was opened so that you can keep track of how old the medicine is. If the odour or appearance of your medicine has changed, you should not take it. If you are in doubt as to whether the medicine can still be used, then ask at the pharmacy.

When the medicine is to be discarded you must deliver the unused medicine to a pharmacy or recycling station. You should, as far as possible, hand over the unused medicine in the original packaging. You must not throw the medicine down the drain, in the toilet or throw it in the dust bin. Medicine is considered hazardous waste.