As if you didn't have enough to do over the holidays, now is a good time to give your medicine cabinet a long overdue makeover  Take everything out, clean it thoroughly, and only put back what really needs to be there..  Throw out anything that is expired, "old" prescriptions for conditions you no longer have, or any products containing phenylpropanolamine, a common ingredient in cold products and diet pills that the FDA has recently banned. 

Think "location, location, location" when storing medicines.  This can improve safety and help you take your medicines properly.  Other tips on medicine safety?

• First, keep ALL medicines out of the reach of children.
• Next, store medicines according to the package directions. . .which means you have to read them.
• Store your medicines where you are most likely to use them.
• Is your lifestyle on the go?  You may be better off carrying your medicines with you.  This also works if you just can't remember to take your medicines every morning.  If it's with you, you can take it  when you remember.  And, if you have medicines that must be taken in emergencies or as soon as you have certain symptoms, keep it with you at all times. 

Join us tomorrow to discuss what to put back into your medicine cabinet.

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Created: 12/26/2000  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.