Why spring cleaning your medicine cabinet is nothing to sneeze at

Crowding your cabinet with redundant items could also lead to confusion and medication mix-ups, especially if bottles or labels looks similar. It’s simplest and safest to clear out the old to make way for the new.

It’s clean-up time

Start your spring clean by checking the expiry dates on all your stored medications. Examine everything, including ointments, supplements and vitamins.

Sometimes expiry dates can be tricky to spot, underneath labels or on lids and bottle bases. If you can’t find the expiry date, try asking your pharmacist — they’re familiar with most types of medication packaging.

Make a rule to discard anything that’s beyond the expiration date. Be extra vigilant about your essential prescription medicines.

And when in doubt, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Look closely for products that have changed colour or odour, or if pills are sticking together, cracked or chipped — especially if they’ve been opened for a while or exposed to extra heat, light or moisture. Ditch anything in an unmarked container, too, as you can’t be sure of its contents or expiry dates.

It’s important to dispose of expired medications responsibly. Return Unwanted Medicines (the RUM Project) provides free and convenient disposal of expired and retired medicines. Anyone can return their household medicines to any community pharmacy for safe collection and disposal.

Refresh and restock

Aside from holding an adequate supply of your family’s prescription medicines, your medicine cabinet should be set up for the season ahead.

With summer coming, be sure to replace expired sunscreen, as this essential skin protection loses its effectiveness over time.

When winter’s approaching, it’s helpful to have some cold and flu remedies and immune boosters such as vitamin C supplements or a good multivitamin.

When choosing brands, remember that the ‘pharmacy only’ generic medications can be a cost-effective and quality option. Although often cheaper, these products conform to the same Australian standards as branded medications.

Don’t forget your first aid kit; check your sterile wipes, dressings and sticking plasters are up to date. A thermometer and scissors are first aid essentials — and among the very few items with no expiry date.

Medicines are best kept in a cool dry place, don’t store them in the bathroom and consider moving them to where there’s less heat and moisture — always safely out of reach of children and pets.

Need more advice about what to keep and what to throw away? Your pharmacist is a trustworthy source of information about medicines and supplements, and it’s always worth a chat to see what’s new and useful for your family.

For over-the-counter medications at value for money without compromising quality, consider Chemists’ Own — a trusted Australian brand which has been available in pharmacy only for over 25 years.

With more than 130 products, covering 10 categories including coughs and colds, pain, allergies, sun care, anti-bacterial, ear health, antifungal, antiviral, skincare and digestive health, there is a Chemists’ Own product likely to suit your needs.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is general in nature. Please consult your GP or other health professional to obtain advice to address your specific health needs. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.