Keep Medications Cool in Hot Weather

The weather is scorching here in Michigan, and that can spell big trouble in many ways. Heat can even damage important medications, something that people often don't think about. But it isn't just outdoor heat that can cause damage to medications, it's also the heat indoors–such as in the bathroom or in direct sunlight. For example, the bathroom temperature can change dramatically with bathing and showering. In addition, traveling with medications can also result in high temperatures. Instead of putting your medications in your baggage that will likely be stowed in a hot cargo hold, keep them in your purse.

To keep your medications effective, it is important that you store them in areas where the temperature is between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit unless they require refrigeration. But even with the appropriate steps to keep your medications at the right temperature, your body can still wreak havoc with medications' effectiveness if you get overheated. Diabetes medications, even when refrigerated and kept at the appropriate temperature, cannot operate as effectively in an overheated body. Overheating signals to the body that it is under stress, and can also result in increased blood sugar.

Other medications can overheat the body, such as antihistamines, blood pressure medications, psychiatric drugs or seizure medicines. It is vitally important that people taking these medications stay hydrated by drinking more water and by staying aware of any signs of dehydration. Overall, when medications get overheated, they can sometimes be rendered useless. Remember to keep your medications at the right temperature, and keep yourself cool, too.