Medicine cabinet cleanup

Spring is here, and it's time for a major cleanup. Don't forget the medicine cabinet! 

Did you know that pharmaceutical products break down over time? They can become ineffective, contaminated, or unstable. The first step is to check the expiration date written on the container of drugs or creams. For prescription medication, check the label affixed to the container by your pharmacist. Remember that opening the container can affect the expiration date of some products. For example, eye drops or creams used to treat eye problems should be disposed of 30 days after they have been opened to avoid the risk of contamination. Spring cleaning is a great time to dispose of health products that have become useless or which you no longer need. This will avoid mix-ups and confusion. It may even keep your medication from falling into the hands of a curious child. Get rid of any products that are not in their original packaging, if the label has faded, or if the color, odor, or form has changed. The final step is to bring your expired medication in to the pharmacy. The staff will know how to dispose of it appropriately. Happy spring cleaning!