Medicine cabinets can become filled with unused over-the-counter and prescription medicines when, for example, the medications are no longer needed, have expired, or the user has died or otherwise left the home. Prescription medications should never be given to someone else to take, and pharmacies are prohibited from taking them back and redistributing.
Hazardous Waste Disposal
So where do old and unused medications go to die? They are considered hazardous waste and need to be disposed of safely to protect wildlife, the environment and pets and children. Some pharmacies have a take-back program to safely dispose of medications. Local governments can take them in their hazardous waste collection. Call to find out dates and times of collection and any specific regulations regarding the disposal of medications.
National Take-Back Day
On September 25, 2010, the U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is holding a take-back day across the country. Find your participating local sites on their website. Cities unable to participate may be organizing another time and date for medication disposal.
Unused medications can be safely disposed of in the household trash if the necessary precautions are taken. If the medication is a prescription, protect your privacy by removing the label. If the label can’t be removed, scratch out identifying information such as your name, the prescription number and the doctor’s name. Make sure it’s unreadable.
Some Medications Can be Flushed
Next, follow any instructions on the label or in the patient information documentation that accompanies the medication regarding safe disposal. In some instances, the instructions may tell you flush the medications down the toilet. There are a few medications such as potent or narcotic pain medicine that can be flushed. Follow the directions carefully and be sure to flush again to be sure the substances have washed down. Then wash your hands thoroughly.
If you will be disposing of the medications in your household trash, it is advisable to remove the medicine from the original container and place it in a sealable bag, empty can or other container. Place the empty containers, with the now unreadable labels, in the trash.
Mix With Undesirable Substances
Liquids should be mixed with an undesirable substance such as clumping kitty litter or coffee grounds. Tablets or capsules can be mixed with a small amount of water or soda to help dissolve them and then add the kitty litter or coffee grounds. These substances help make the mixture unappealing to curious pets and children. It also makes the medicines unrecognizable to anyone who may go through your trash. The sealable bags or other containers should then be placed inside of another container or paper bag, so as not to draw attention to them.
These guidelines were developed through a cooperative effort between the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in 2007 to help protect the environment and prevent accidental overdose or illegal use of medications.
Kathy Quan - Kathy Quan RN BSN has been a home health/hospice nurse for over 30 years. She has authored five books and writes for several online ...
