Health Care in Canada: Medicine Chest Cleanup 101

Do you have anything in your medicine cabinet that is outdated? Here’s how to decide what should stay and what should go.

Medicine Chest Cleanup 101

In every Canadian household it is important to know that you have safe and effective products in your Medicine Chest.

The first thing you should do is check the date on all of your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines. They could become ineffective after the expiration date. Always get your prescription updated. If outdated, bring them to your pharmacy for safe disposal.

Take into consideration any changes in your own or a family member’s health. For example if you have recently found out you have high blood pressure, check all of your medications. A lot of over-the-counter drugs like many non-drowsy and daytime products can raise your blood pressure or heart rate a little. Talk to your doctor about what you can and cannot take if you have high blood pressure.

Replace products often. Sunscreen and Hydrocortisone cream (for minor irritation and itch) doesn't last for more than a year. Eye drops and nasal drops are only good for about a month once opened. The ingredients in them do not last and could irritate you if you try to use them after too long.

Insect repellent containing deet should not be stored in your medicine chest.

Check your first aid kit or supplies to make sure you are well stocked. Look for any tears or holes on sterile product (like gauze pads) and replace them. Top up anything that you may be running low on. Look for expiry dates on your antibiotic creams and peroxide. Keep in mind the season and your family’s likelihood for minor injury. Take into account both sports and hobbies and if you have a foodie in the family kitchen, cuts and burns could be more frequent.

Daily care products can also expire. Get rid of old toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, etc and buy new toothbrushes, sponges and scrunges. Maybe you changed brands or developed a reaction to your former product. Be sure that anything and everything you put on or in your body is fresh and safe.

Clean your medicine cabinet while you are at it. Pull everything out and use some disinfecting wipes to clean it. If dirt or rust gets into your medicine, it could harm you.

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