Medical Oncologist
Taking targeted therapy at home
How to Store Your — Targeted Therapy Tablets Correctly
Storing cancer tablets correctly is not a small detail. Heat, moisture and light can change the active ingredient before you ever swallow the tablet — and because most targeted therapies are taken every day for months, getting storage right from the first day matters.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed August 2026
- One rule does not fit all — Some targeted therapy tablets need refrigeration. Others must not be refrigerated. Check your specific instructions rather than assuming.
- Bathrooms are the worst choice — Steam and humidity from showers damage tablets even when the container looks completely sealed.
- Original packaging is protective — The blister pack or bottle is designed to block moisture and light — a plastic pill organiser does not offer the same protection.
- Damage is not always visible — You cannot always tell by looking whether heat or humidity has affected a tablet. If in doubt, call your pharmacist before taking it.
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Store your targeted therapy tablets in their original packaging, in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Most are damaged by heat and moisture. Never use a bathroom cabinet or a parked car as storage. Your pharmacist will tell you on the day of dispensing whether your specific tablet needs refrigeration — if you are unsure, call and ask.
Why does storage matter more for targeted therapy tablets than for ordinary medicine?
Targeted therapy tablets contain molecules that are sensitive to heat, humidity and light in a way that paracetamol or common antibiotics are not.
When a tablet is stored incorrectly, the active ingredient can break down before it reaches your body. You take the tablet as usual, but it may no longer contain the dose your oncologist prescribed.
Because most targeted therapies are taken daily for months or years, consistent storage is part of the treatment — not a separate concern.
What do I need to do to store my tablets safely? Print this and keep it with your pack.
- Keep tablets in their original packaging — blister pack or bottle as dispensed.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Never store in a bathroom, kitchen, or inside a car.
- Confirm with your pharmacist whether your specific tablet needs refrigeration.
- If refrigerated, use a sealed container inside the fridge — not in the door.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Check the expiry date each time you collect a new supply.
- Tell your pharmacist if any tablet looks, smells or feels different from usual.
- When travelling by air, carry tablets in hand luggage, not in checked baggage.
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How do I set up a safe storage routine at home?
Read the label on the day of dispensing
Your storage instruction is printed on the box and on the pharmacy label. Read it the day you collect your tablets — not a week later when you realise you have been storing them in the wrong place.
Choose the right location
For room-temperature tablets, a bedside drawer or a shelf in a cool, shaded room works well. For refrigerated tablets, place them in a sealed container inside the fridge — not in the door, where temperature changes most each time it is opened.
Leave tablets in their original pack
Do not transfer tablets into a general pill organiser unless your pharmacist has confirmed your specific tablet is stable enough for that. The blister pack or original bottle is part of the protection.
Set a daily reminder at the same time each day
Consistency in timing matters for most targeted therapies. A phone alarm works well. Taking the tablet at a fixed time also means you open the pack at the same moment each day, which makes it easier to notice if something looks different.
Check dates and appearance with each new supply
Each time you collect the next month's supply, check the expiry date and compare the appearance of the new tablets with what you remember. Any unexpected difference is worth a call to your pharmacist before you start the new pack.
What should I do if something went wrong with my tablets?
| Situation | Signs to check for | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Left in a hot car or in direct sunlight | Colour change, crumbling, or unusual smell | Call your pharmacist before taking any. Do not assume they are still safe. |
| Stored in a bathroom or near a kitchen sink | Stickiness, discolouration, or swollen capsules | Call your pharmacist if you notice any change in appearance or texture. |
| Past the expiry date on the box | Date printed on the outer carton or blister strip | Do not take them. Call your pharmacist to arrange a replacement. |
| Power cut affected refrigerated tablets | How long the fridge was off and the current room temperature | Call your pharmacist. Some refrigerated tablets tolerate a short period at room temperature — yours may not. |
| A tablet looks or feels different from the others | Compare with another tablet from the same strip or bottle | Do not take it. Call your pharmacist before continuing your course. |
What do I need to know about storing my tablets when I travel?
Carry your tablets in hand luggage when flying. Cargo holds can reach temperatures that damage tablets, and checked baggage can be delayed or lost.
Bring more tablets than you need for the trip. A delay of a day or two should not interrupt your treatment.
If your tablet needs refrigeration, ask your oncology team before you travel. They can advise on how long it tolerates a cool bag and what to do if you cannot access a fridge at your destination.
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a weekly pill organiser for my targeted therapy tablets?
Not without checking with your pharmacist first. Most targeted therapy tablets are dispensed in blister packs or bottles because that packaging protects them from moisture and light in a way a plastic pill organiser does not. Some tablets are stable enough to be transferred — many are not. Ask your pharmacist specifically about your tablet rather than assuming. If the answer is no, a phone alarm set to the same time each day gives you the same reminder without the risk.
My tablet needs refrigeration. What do I do if the power goes out?
Call your pharmacist as soon as you can. Different refrigerated medicines have different tolerances for time spent at room temperature, and your pharmacist will know the guidance for your specific tablet. Do not take a tablet that has been out of the fridge for longer than advised, even if it looks normal. If the power cut happened overnight and you are unsure, hold the morning dose and call first thing — missing one dose while you check is safer than taking a tablet that may have degraded.
Is it safe to store my tablets in the bathroom cabinet?
No. A bathroom seems practical because you are there every morning, but it is one of the worst storage environments for sensitive medicines. Showers and hot water raise the humidity and temperature even when you cannot feel it, and those conditions degrade targeted therapy tablets over days and weeks. A bedroom drawer, a cool cupboard away from the kitchen, or the fridge if your tablet requires it are all better options.
What if I already took a tablet that had been stored incorrectly?
Tell your oncology team or pharmacist what happened. A single tablet exposed to borderline conditions is unlikely to cause immediate harm, but your team needs to know so they can assess whether your supply should be replaced and whether there is anything to watch for. Do not try to compensate by taking an extra tablet — that is not safe. The right response is a phone call, not a higher dose.
Do I need a letter for my tablets when travelling internationally?
Yes, and your oncology team can provide one. A letter on clinic letterhead confirming your diagnosis, the name of your medication and the prescribed dose is standard practice for travelling with cancer medicines. Get this before you travel, not at the airport. Also carry the original packaging with the pharmacy label rather than loose tablets — a labelled original pack is far easier to explain at security or customs.