Medication safety during the holidays

Friday, November 20, 2015

Medications and vitamins should always be handled safely and stored properly. But, special care should be taken during the holidays when families may be hosting guests at home or traveling out of town for the season.

“Whether you’re at home or away, securing your medications helps prevent accidental poisoning and ensures medicines are used only by the person to whom they are prescribed,” said Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension housing and consumer specialist.

Because many older adults may be using medications to manage at least one chronic health condition such as diabetes or heart disease, it is especially important they take precautions. Consider that, according to 2014 data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, adults 65 and older use more than one third of all prescribed medicine.

Once taken as prescribed, medications should be closed securely and immediately stored out of sight and out of reach of children. Since heat, moisture, air and light could interfere with the effectiveness of medications, they also should be stored in a cool, dry place such as a cabinet with a latch or lockable storage box.

“Keep all your medications and vitamins in their original packaging and don’t share your prescription medications with family, friends or pets,” Peek said.

Before traveling, make sure you have enough doses of medication to cover the entire duration of the trip plus a little extra in case your return is delayed.

“If you have questions about how to adjust your medication schedule because you’re traveling, be sure to consult your doctor or a pharmacist,” Peek said. “You may also consider taking a copy of the prescription as well as the contact numbers for your doctor and pharmacist in case you have to refill medications unexpectedly.”

Finally, if you are flying for the holidays, remember to keep medicines in the carry-on luggage, not the checked bags.

If, despite precautions, a suspected medication mistake occurs, contact poison control immediately at 800/222-1222.