Dissecting desiccants

Ever wondered what those small paper or plastic packets or cylinders inside some of your medicine bottles are?

They’re called desiccants and they serve a purpose: They keep pills safe from damage by absorbing moisture, the National Capital Poison Center says.

How? The packets have silica inside them, which is a drying agent. The silica helps preserve the integrity of the pill.

Why? Medications can degrade if they get wet, which isn’t good because it can change the chemical composition. This may result in a less effective medicine, the NCPC warns. It also could cause negative side effects.

Conclusion? Don’t remove a desiccant from a medicine bottle.

Although the silica use in the packets is nontoxic, the packets can be a choking hazard. That’s why it’s so important to keep all medicine and supplement containers out of kids’ reach.

The NCPC says to call (800) 222-1222 or visit triage.webpoisoncontrol.org if you have questions or if someone in your home has ingested silica.

A note for pet owners: Although the silica gel used in the dessicant packets may be nontoxic to people, the same can’t be said of animals, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says. “If eaten, silica gel can cause gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea.” Contact your veterinarian if your animal eats a silica packet.