Health experts warn against preventive self-medication and improper drug storage

Medical experts warn that carrying excessive medications for hypothetical symptoms can mask underlying illnesses and lead to dependency. This behavior is often linked to illness anxiety disorder, or hypochondria, where individuals interpret normal bodily sensations as signs of serious disease. Cardiologist Murilo Meneses Nunes notes that this preoccupation can negatively impact a person's social life, work, and relationships, particularly in those with histories of anxiety, depression, or perfectionism.

Beyond psychological risks, improper storage of medications poses significant physical dangers. Pharmacist Alexandre Bechara explains that exposure to light, humidity, and heat—such as leaving drugs in a closed car where temperatures can exceed 60°C—degrades the chemical composition and reduces efficacy. Signs of deterioration include changes in color, loss of effervescence, or sticking tablets.

Experts recommend keeping medications in their original packaging at temperatures between 15°C and 30°C. For travel, it is advised to keep drugs in carry-on luggage to avoid cargo hold temperature fluctuations. Injectables and insulin, which require strict temperature control between 2°C and 8°C, should be transported in thermal bags.