Storing medicines in the heat means keeping them within the storage conditions printed on the pack or leaflet, away from closed cars, balconies, direct sunlight and humidity, and in a locked place out of children's reach. Some medicines can lose their effectiveness from heat without any visible change, and the most sensitive include insulin, inhalers and suspensions. If you suspect a medicine has been exposed to heat, ask your pharmacist before using it.
Storing Medicines in the Heat: Do Medicines Really Spoil?
Yes, many medicines can be affected by high temperatures. A medicine is a chemical compound that is manufactured and tested to remain stable under specific storage conditions. When those conditions are exceeded repeatedly or for a long time, part of it may break down and its effect may weaken. Some medicines tolerate this better than others, and some are very sensitive.
The problem is that the damage is not always visible. A tablet may look intact while being weaker than it should be, which can be dangerous for someone relying on a medicine to control a chronic condition. For this reason, we rely on the written storage instructions for each product rather than on its appearance. You can read the Consumer Guide to Safe Medication Use for more general rules.
Why Is the Risk Higher in Jordan's Summer?
In summer, medicines face situations that do not occur during the rest of the year. These include leaving the bag in the car while running other errands, keeping boxes on a balcony or near a sunny window, power cuts in a closed house while travelling, and keeping medicine in a hot kitchen. Medicines registered in Jordan, and their published prices, are regulated by the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA). However, storing a medicine after it leaves the pharmacy is the responsibility of the patient and their carer.
What Do Storage Instructions on the Pack and Leaflet Mean?
The most important rule for storing medicines in the heat is to read the storage line in the leaflet or on the box and follow the limit written for each medicine. No single temperature suits all medicines. The following table explains common phrases and how they translate into practice.
| Phrase on the pack | Practical meaning | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| "Store at room temperature" | A moderate indoor place away from heat sources, and not exceeding the limit written in the leaflet | Placing it near the oven, on top of the fridge, or on a sunny windowsill |
| "Store in a refrigerator" | Inside the fridge on an inner shelf, not in the freezer | Freezing it, or leaving it out of the fridge for many hours |
| "Protect from light" | Keeping it in its original box and closing the cap tightly | Transferring it to a clear container or leaving it in the sun |
| "Protect from moisture" | Sealing the pack tightly and storing it in a dry place | Storing it in the bathroom cabinet |
| "After opening, use within a specified period" | Writing the opening date on the pack and following the period stated in the leaflet | Forgetting the opening date and using the medicine after its period has ended |
Keep the medicine in its original pack with the leaflet, as it carries the medicine's name, expiry date and storage instructions. If you do not understand a phrase in the leaflet, ask your pharmacist rather than guessing. Another useful step is reviewing the first steps to avoid medication errors at home.
Cars, Balconies and Kitchens: Where Must Medicines Not Be Stored?
A closed car is one of the worst places to store medicine in summer, because its interior temperature rises very quickly in the sun. This applies to the front compartment, the dashboard and the rear boot. The danger is not limited to insulin and inhalers; tablets, ointments and suspensions are also at risk.
- The car: Take your medicines with you when you get out, and do not leave them even for a few minutes. Make buying medicine the last stop before returning home.
- Balconies and sunny windows: Direct heat damages medicine even when it is inside a box.
- The kitchen: Steam and heat near the stove and oven are unsuitable for medicine, and so is the shelf above the fridge, since it heats up from the fridge's motor.
- The bathroom: Humidity affects tablets and capsules.
- Outside the front door: If a medicine arrives through any delivery service, do not leave it on the doorstep in the sun.
The most suitable place is usually a drawer or cabinet in an interior room away from sunlight and humidity, preferably one that is locked. We will return to this in the section on children.
How Do I Protect Insulin from the Heat?
Insulin is a protein that is sensitive to temperature, and its effect may weaken if it is exposed to high heat or to freezing. Those who use it rely on it to control blood sugar, so any loss of its effectiveness matters. You can find a simple definition on the page Insulin.
- Follow the leaflet for the type of insulin you use: how to store unopened pens or vials, and how long they remain usable once started outside the fridge.
- Do not leave the pen in the car, in the sun, near the stove or on the windowsill.
- Avoid placing insulin against the wall of the freezer compartment or in the freezer, and do not use insulin that has frozen.
- Write the date you started using the pen on its pack.
- When going out on a picnic or trip, use a dedicated insulated bag, and keep the pen away from direct contact with ice packs.
If blood sugar readings rise for no clear reason after insulin has been exposed to heat, do not change the dose yourself. Contact your doctor or pharmacist to find out whether the pen needs replacing. The usual dose is determined by your doctor according to your condition. You can read Diabetes Medications and How to Use Them Effectively, and browse informational pages on common types such as Lantus, NovoRapid and Humalog.
Anyone using an insulin pump should ask their medical team how to protect the pump and its reservoir from heat during outdoor activities.
Are Asthma Inhalers and Other Medicines Affected by Heat?
Yes. Asthma inhalers are pressurised canisters, and high temperatures around them are unsuitable for the canister and for the medicine inside. Do not leave them in the car or on the balcony, do not expose them to any heat source, and carry them with you wherever you go. If you suspect your inhaler has been exposed to extreme heat, ask your pharmacist, and do not stop using your rescue inhaler without guidance.
Other Medicines Sensitive to Heat and Humidity
- Ointments, creams and suppositories: They may melt or lose their consistency in heat.
- Liquid suspensions (syrups) after preparation: Some need refrigeration and a short period of use. The leaflet specifies this, and they are given to a child according to weight, on a doctor's prescription or on a pharmacist's advice.
- Eye and ear drops: Write the opening date and store them as stated in the leaflet.
- Effervescent tablets and capsules: They are affected by humidity, so seal the pack tightly.
- Blood sugar test strips: These are not medicine, but they are also sensitive, so store them according to the device instructions.
Blood pressure and cholesterol tablets in sealed blister packs usually tolerate moderate home conditions better than other forms, but this does not exempt them from the rule of keeping them away from heat. You may review Blood Pressure Medications: Types, Side Effects and Adherence to learn how to stick to your treatment plan.
How Do I Transport My Medicines When Travelling in Summer?
Long journeys, camping trips and beach visits expose medicine to unusual heat. The following steps help with storing medicines in the heat while on the move:
- Carry essential medicines in the cabin or in your hand luggage, not in the rear boot or with checked luggage.
- Use an insulated bag or box for medicines that need cold storage.
- Wrap the cooling pack in a piece of cloth, and do not place the medicine directly against ice, so that it does not freeze.
- Keep each medicine in its original pack with the pharmacy label, and bring a copy of your doctor's prescription or a brief report on your condition.
- Take slightly more than your expected need in case the trip is delayed.
- Check the insulated bag from time to time; if all the ice has melted, do not rely on it for long.
- On arrival, place refrigerated medicine in the accommodation's fridge as soon as you can.
On daily outings, leave the bag in the shade, and do not put it on sand, rocks or inside a tent in the sun.
How Can I Tell If a Medicine Has Changed Because of the Heat?
Some changes can be noticed, but their absence does not guarantee that a medicine is safe. Examine your medicine before using it, especially if it has been exposed to heat.
- Tablets: Changes in colour, spots, crumbling, a sticky texture, or an unusual smell.
- Capsules: Capsules sticking together, a change in their shape, or leakage of their contents.
- Liquids and suspensions: New cloudiness, sediment, a change in colour or smell, or leakage from the cap.
- Creams and ointments: Separation of ingredients, unusual runniness, or a different smell.
- Insulin: Any change from its appearance described in the leaflet, such as cloudiness in a type that should be clear, or granules and clumps.
If you have doubts about a medicine, do not decide on your own whether to continue using it or to discard it. Ask your pharmacist or doctor first, especially if it is an essential medicine, so that a replacement can be arranged without interruption. To help reduce such problems, buy your medicines from a trusted source, and learn about the importance of buying medicines from licensed pharmacies.
What Should I Do with Expired Medicines, and How Do I Keep Them Away from Children?
Do not use a medicine whose expiry date has passed, or an opened medicine that has exceeded the allowed period after opening. Review your home medicine supply regularly, and separate expired or changed medicines from the rest. Ask your pharmacist about the appropriate way to dispose of them. Do not leave them in a bin that a child or animal can reach, and do not give them to anyone else.
Safe Storage Away from Children
Child safety sources advise keeping medicines, cleaning products and other hazardous substances in locked cabinets [2]. Among the same measures is preparing the home to protect young children and never leaving them unsupervised [2]. Simply placing a medicine "up high" may not be enough, because children climb and explore.
The risk does not end with young children. Teenagers are curious and like to experiment with things in their own way [1], and curiosity about substances such as alcohol can start as early as age 9 [1]. This curiosity is an added reason to keep medicines, especially painkillers, sedatives and medicines for chronic conditions, in a locked place that no one can reach without your knowledge. You can read Medicines and Children: Safe Dosing and Proper Storage.
- If there are children in the home, place refrigerated medicine in a small locked box inside the fridge.
- Be mindful of guests' and relatives' bags, which may contain medicines.
- Replace the child-resistant cap immediately after every use.
- Do not call a medicine "candy" in front of a child.
If a child swallows a medicine or you suspect that they have, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department, and take the medicine box with you.
When Should I See a Doctor, and When Should I Go to the Emergency Department?
See your doctor or pharmacist if:
- The medicine no longer works as usual after being exposed to heat, such as blood sugar readings rising for no clear reason while using insulin, or needing your rescue inhaler more often.
- The medicine's shape, smell or colour has changed.
- A rash or new symptoms appear after using a new pack. Review drug allergy to learn about its symptoms.
- You feel dizzy when standing up, especially if you take blood pressure medicine in hot weather, since dehydration may make it worse. Details are in the article Orthostatic Hypotension: Dizziness on Standing, Medications and Dehydration.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately if you have:
- Severe shortness of breath that does not improve with the inhaler.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing or swallowing after taking a medicine.
- Fainting, confusion, repeated vomiting or rapid breathing in a person with diabetes.
- Very high body temperature with confusion or fainting, as this may be a heat stroke.
- A child or person swallowing a medicine in an unknown amount.
How Do I Find the Right Doctor or Clinic in Jordan?
The doctor who follows your condition is best placed to determine whether you need to change your medicine or device. Those using insulin should see an endocrinologist or diabetes specialist or their treating physician. Those with asthma or allergies should see a chest or allergy specialist, and for children, a paediatrician. On ClinicsJo, you can browse doctors and clinics by specialty and governorate, including pages such as insulin pump and Directory of Insulin Pump Clinics in Jordan.
What to Check in the Profile
- The specialty and listed areas of interest.
- The location, governorate and ease of access.
- Contact or booking methods if available, and working hours.
Questions to Ask at Your Appointment
- How should I store my medicine in summer and while travelling?
- How long can my medicine stay outside the fridge, and how do I know it is still effective?
- What should I do if my medicine has been exposed to high heat?
- Do I need a prescription or report to travel with my medicines?
Remember that your pharmacist is a quick and accessible reference for storage questions. For clarity, the precise heat limits for each medicine are found in the product leaflet, from your doctor and from your pharmacist, while the references cited here support home child-safety rules.
This article is for general health education and does not replace consultation with a doctor or pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
How should I store medicines in summer and while travelling?
Store medicine within the storage conditions printed on the pack or leaflet, away from closed cars, balconies, direct sunlight and humidity, and in a locked place out of children's reach. When travelling, carry essential medicines with you in the cabin or hand luggage, use an insulated bag for medicines that need cold storage, and do not place the medicine directly against ice.
Do medicines really spoil from heat?
Yes, many medicines can be affected by high temperatures. When storage conditions are exceeded repeatedly or for a long time, part of the medicine may break down and its effect may weaken. The problem is that the damage is not always visible; a tablet may look intact while being weaker than it should be, so we rely on the written storage instructions for each product.
How do I protect insulin from the heat?
Insulin is a protein that is sensitive to temperature, and its effect may weaken if exposed to high heat or freezing. Do not leave the pen in the car, in the sun or near the stove, avoid the freezer, and do not use insulin that has frozen. When going out, use a dedicated insulated bag, and do not change the dose yourself if blood sugar readings rise for no clear reason.
Are asthma inhalers affected by heat?
Yes, asthma inhalers are pressurised canisters, and high temperatures around them are unsuitable for the canister and the medicine inside. Do not leave them in the car or on the balcony, do not expose them to a heat source, and carry them with you. If you suspect the inhaler was exposed to extreme heat, ask your pharmacist, and do not stop using your rescue inhaler without guidance.
How can I tell if a medicine has changed because of the heat?
Some changes can be noticed, but their absence does not guarantee safety. Watch for changes in the colour of tablets, spots on them, crumbling, or an unusual smell; for cloudiness or sediment in liquids; and for any change in the appearance of insulin from the description in the leaflet. If you have doubts about an essential medicine, ask your pharmacist or doctor first.
When should I see a doctor or go to the emergency department after a medicine has been exposed to heat?
See your doctor or pharmacist if the medicine no longer works as usual, or its shape, smell or colour has changed. Severe shortness of breath that does not improve with the inhaler, swelling of the face or lips, difficulty breathing or swallowing after taking a medicine, or a child swallowing a medicine requires calling 911 or going immediately to the nearest emergency department.
Sources and references
- Risks of underage drinking: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine. Accessed: 2026-10-26.
- Child Safety: MedlinePlus — MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine. Accessed: 2026-10-26.