How Long Can Pills Stay in a Pill Box?

Do you have old pills lying around, leaving you unsure if they’re still fresh?

Trying to keep track of all your medicine expiration dates is one thing, but when you move your pills from bottles to a case, you’ll have another variable to track.

So, how long can pills stay in a pill box?

The answer depends on the case’s quality. Cheap plastic organizers can damage your pills' integrity with contamination and microplastics.

However, other pill boxes feature durable materials that can hold your pills until their expiration date.

We’ll break down everything you need to know about the durability of pills inside a case. If you never want to worry about longevity, we recommend our metal pill boxes at Ikigai Cases! 

We use Aluminum 6061-T6, a durable metal that won’t interfere with your pills' chemistry. With plenty of room for refills, your pills will be safe long after you renew your prescription.

Why Use a Pill Box?

When you first start a new medicine regimen, you may not be fully aware of the frustrations that can follow. You figure learning how to organize pill bottles will be simple until suddenly, you find yourself staring blankly at a medicine cabinet filled to the brim with them.

If you’re relying on pill bottles alone, you’ll need to fumble with opening and closing bottles. You’ll have no accurate visual indicator to remind you if you’ve taken your pills already that day, leading to missed or double doses.

And if you plan to travel, you’ll be stuck stuffing all those bottles in your suitcase.

A reliable pill box solves all of these problems. Your pills will be in one place, saving you time and making it easier to remember your doses. And with a reliable travel pill case, you no longer have to worry about figuring out how to fly with pills. 

Just fill your case, and you’re all set!

But how long can pills stay in a pill box? Is it as safe as pill bottles?

The answer is that pills last as long as your case allows, so it’s crucial to research before shopping.

Can Pills Really Go Bad in a Pill Case?

Switching to pill boxes is an excellent choice to streamline your medicine regimen.

But can pills go wrong in a pill case? How long can pills stay in a pill box before you’re tossing them out?

Pills can go bad inside a pill box. But depending on the type of material in your case, this decay rate could be either two weeks in or past their expiration dates. Cheap cases made of plastics and other flimsy materials are prone to damaged pills. 

The microplastics within can contaminate your pills, while extreme temperature or moisture could cause changes in their microchemistry. With the wrong pill case, you could end up popping a pill with entirely different effects than you expected.

Factors That Affect How Long Pills Can Stay in a Pill Box

So, how long can pills stay in a pill box, then?

Because the length of time varies, you’ll need to analyze the case. Exposure to harsh elements, the material of the case, and the chemistry behind the pill will all affect how long your medicine retains its effectiveness.

Exposure to Air and Moisture

How long can pills stay in a pill box if you expose them to excessive moisture and air?

It's not very long. Chemicals in the air, like oxygen and nitrogen, can react with your medications, breaking down their chemical bonds. Moisture can cause dissolving, stickiness, and other forms of decay.

Some pills can even grow fungi or mold if they encounter harsh conditions. If your box doesn't have an airtight seal, these dangerous outcomes can occur within 30 days or sooner.

Light and Temperature Sensitivity

Most pills are not made to withstand high temperatures or UV light. These two hazards will alter the chemistry of your pills, rendering them either useless or dangerous. Even mild temperatures and UV exposure will cause your pills, especially gelatin capsules, to stick together or melt.

We’re talking temperatures around 85 degrees. That means if you take your pills with you outside on the way to work, you better have a solid case that keeps your capsules cool.

Material and Seal of the Pill Box

Moisture, light, temperatures, and air can all be challenging to keep track of.

The best way to avoid these hazards is to ensure your case is made of suitable materials.

Unfortunately, the majority of cases are not fit for the job. Most cases are made of plastic, a flimsy material that contaminates your pills with harmful microplastic chemicals.

Silicone cases are an alternative, but they usually do not have a sufficient seal. Thus, you avoid the problem of filling your pills with microplastics only to watch them wither away in the sun or rain.

Metal pill cases strike an excellent middle ground. They protect against the elements, including UV light, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Metal cases also have sturdy, airtight seals that prevent these hazards from affecting your pills.

While metal pill case costs are somewhat higher than plastic, they are worth their weight in gold. Not needing to worry about longevity with the best pill organizers will make your life easy.

Type of Medication

Every pill in your regimen will have different durability and sensitivities. Some capsules are highly prone to heat damage while not caring as much about moisture. Others will change chemically under UV light or air exposure but handle higher temperatures well.

And there are some, like nitroglycerin pills or antibiotics, that either quickly lose effectiveness in rough conditions or even become toxic!

Whether you’re putting gummy vitamins in a pill organizer or putting birth control in a pill organizer, it is vital to find a proper case. This will give you all-purpose coverage to ensure the best longevity for your medicine.

So, How Long Can Pills Stay in a Pill Box?

Okay, so how long can pills stay in a pill box?

If you have a suitable case–one made of durable metals and featuring an airtight seal–your pills will last until their expiration date.

But if you try to cut corners, you could see drastically poor outcomes that can jeopardize your health.

How to Tell if Pills in Your Pill Box Have Gone Bad

You’ve done the work to figure out how many pills fit in a case, found the perfect box for your regimen, and have built the habit. But a doubt crosses your mind.

When you pop open your case, how can you tell for sure if your pills are still fresh?

There’s a few signs to keep in mind. 

• Visual imperfections, including discoloration, spots, or evidence of decaying pills like powder. 
• Overwhelming odors that are different from usual.
• Texture changes, either harder or softer.

If you notice these signs, call your medical provider for confirmation. But if you’re still in doubt, it’s better to throw out those old pills and start fresh with your new prescription.

Best Practices for Keeping Pills Fresh in a Pill Box

With the correct setup, you won’t have to worry much about old pills. Learning how to use a pill organizer is simple, but there are a few tricks to make your life even more straightforward.

Using Airtight and Moisture-Resistant Pill Organizers

Pill freshness starts with your pill box. The best daily, weekly, and monthly pill organizers are made with durable materials that are even safer than standard bottles!

You want to choose a pill case with an airtight seal and a design that withstands rough temperatures. Look for cases with a slide closure; you can use the “clicking” sound to indicate that your pills are safe.

Many of the best cases are also partially or fully waterproof. This helps fight off the most common hazards to your pills, ensuring they last until their expiration dates while inside the case.

Keeping Your Pill Box in a Cool, Dry Place

Where you place your new pill organizer is nearly as essential of a decision as which one you buy. While the best cases are made to last even in harsh temperatures, it’s best not to push the envelope.

Store your pill case in a visible location, away from sunlight, moisture, or harsh temperatures. Your kitchen cabinet, bedroom nightstand, or work bag are all fantastic choices that typically avoid harmful conditions.

Rotating Your Pills and Refilling on Schedule

Keeping up with your prescriptions will help you stave off old pills. Plenty of pill case sizes are available to match your regimen's needs.

For example, if you take a few pills daily and then refill them on the same day each week, you can pick up one of the best weekly pill organizers. For different regimen sizes, you could grab a biweekly or daily case, setting aside time to lock in the habit.

As you rotate your pills, you’ll constantly be taking the oldest pills in your case. This will ensure that no medicine stays inside your case (or pill bottle) for long, avoiding the issue of decay.

Be sure to learn how to clean a pill organizer as well. By regularly maintaining your case and removing any pill residue, you’ll avoid cross-contaminating your medicines, keeping your pills fresh and your body healthy.

Now that you know what to expect, the only thing left to do is figure out where to buy pill organizers that will maximize the longevity of your medicine. Thankfully, your search won’t take long.

How Ikigai Cases Help You Store Pills Safely

Ikigai Cases is the internet’s best-selling 100% metal pill box. Our durable and stylish design have helped thousands of customers regain control of their medicine regimens.

We created Ikigai Cases with your convenience in mind. Our mission was to develop a pill box our father could use and enjoy. He lives with CIDP, a condition similar to ALS, which limits his mobility.

Tired of watching him go through cheap plastic cases that broke and messed with the potency of his pills, we decided to enter the industry and do things differently. We experimented with materials, landing on Aluminum 6061-T6, the same durable metal found in Apple products. 

We paired it with a one-of-its-kind slide latch seal, which is accessible while keeping out harsh temperatures, moisture, and air.

From there, Ikigai Cases was born.

In our store, you’ll find several case styles, allowing you to find a pill box that works for you and your regimen. We have daily pill organizers and 7 day pill boxes for smaller regimens that will keep your pills fresh with regular rotations.

We highly recommend our AM PM pill boxes, which can double as biweekly organizers. Our 2.0 AM-PM Pill Cases are the best twice a day pill organizers on the market, with a magnetic design that helps you bring pills on the go.

We can also help you organize vitamins. Our vitamin cases give you extra room to fill your pills.

No matter your regimen, we’ve got your back. Our organizers are the best birth control pill cases, the best pill organizer for arthritic hands, the best pill organizer for Parkinsons disease, and plenty more.

Plus, we offer a lifetime warranty and flexible return policy, so you can experience the difference yourself risk-free!

Final Thoughts on How Long You Can Keep Pills in a Pill Box

The correct pill box will keep your pills safe from hazards. Metal pill cases are the best way to organize pills, surpassing cheap plastic cases or DIY pill organizers.

The best pill organizer for elderly folks, students, and professionals is at Ikigai Cases! If you’ve struggled to figure out how to remember to take pills and want a stylish new organizer by your side, you’re in the right place.

Our TSA-friendly pill organizers will keep your medicine safe in any condition. You don’t even have to worry about the medication adherence app vs pill organizer debate, as you can pair them with a smartphone app to ensure you stay on top of your regimen.

Our friendly team is here to help you. Whether you’re looking for the best 14-day pill organizer or best pill organizer for travel, we’ll help you find the perfect fit for your goals.