• Keeping medication in the bathroom may pose risks to the potency of the medication.
• This may also result in medications expiring earlier than the original expiration date.
• Experts recommend people store medications in a cool, dark place, and keep every medication in its original packaging.

Keeping medication in the bathroom cabinet may result in undesirable, sometimes dangerous, effects.

Compared to other spaces in the house, bathrooms often experience additional moisture. This increased humidity doesn’t just fog up the mirror—it could impact any medication stored in the room.

“Medications should not be kept in the bathroom or a bathroom cabinet,” Shazia Zafar, RPh, a pharmacist from Lake Oswego, OR, told Health. “The humidity from the shower can seep in, which can break down your medicines.”

According to the National Library of Medicine, moisture and humidity can make the medications less potent, or cause them to go bad before the original expiration date.

A medication’s potency matters—if potency changes, you can’t be certain you’re getting the correct dose.

Heat and moisture can damage pills and capsules. For example, the change in atmosphere can break aspirin down to vinegar and salicylic acid, which can, in turn, bother your stomach.

But, just because bathroom humidity has the potential to negatively impact medications doesn't mean it will always happen.

“Most homes have ventilation in the bathroom, which diminishes the impact of humidity,” Lisa Gualtieri, PhD, an associate professor of public health and community medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, told Health.

Michelle A Chui, PharmD, PhD, a professor in pharmacy administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy, told Health she doesn’t think medicines can spoil in your medicine cabinet from shower or bath moisture, or general humidity in the home.

Here’s why where you store your medication matters, as well as general safety tips to ensure your medication’s expiration and potency stay intact.

If you receive medication by mail that’s supposed to be refrigerated, it’s important to check that it’s cool to the touch when you open it, Jennifer Young, PharmD, a medication safety specialist at the Institute For Safe Medication Practices, told Health.  

“Some pharmacies add a temperature tracker card into their packages, which will alert the patient if the temperature within the compartment went out of range,” she said.

Another possible risk you face when storing medication is storing every member of the household’s medication together—opening you up to the possibility of taking someone else’s medicine by mistake.

Practicing Safe Medication Storage

There are a few simple things to keep in mind when storing medications, according to experts.

The best way to safely store medication is to read and follow the instructions that come with or on the package. Pay attention to the bottle and note the expiration date, said Chui.

Properly unpacking medication is also important. For instance, if your medication comes with a cotton ball on top, take it out—this way, the cotton doesn’t absorb moisture.

It’s also crucial to note any unusual changes in your medication. Don’t take anything that’s changed color, or pills that are harder/softer than normal or are sticking together.

If you’re traveling, prioritize keeping pills in their original packaging instead of transferring them to a different bag. The dark color of prescription bottles can prevent them from light exposure.

“When you’re traveling with medication, it’s best to keep it in your carry-on luggage and in its original container, so that airport security personnel know that the pills were prescribed by a healthcare provider,” explained Zafar.

Finally, don’t be afraid to have your pharmacist review your medications. They can spot any abnormalities and advise you on best storage practices for your specific medications.