Saying Goodbye To Medication Safely

Close to half of the US population reports using a prescription drug in the last 30 days, with even more individuals reaching for common over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Although many people take every single pill prescribed, in some situations, extra medication may need to be disposed of. For example, if an OTC medication is expired or pain has resolved enough that a prescription strength pain medication is no longer needed, safe disposal is important. Here are 3 best practices to follow when getting rid of extra medication.

1. Take back sites are preferred

The best way to get rid of medication that is no longer needed is to turn in the drug at a take back site. These programs are set up to safely collect and dispose of drugs. A national prescription drug take back day has been established to remind people of the importance of proper disposal, but many communities offer the service year-round. If unsure, ask a pharmacist for help. This health professional can help find the closest take back program or may even be able to dispose of the medication at the pharmacy.

2. Flush or trash the safe way

If a take-back program isn’t available, flushing the medication down the toilet is another option. However, before running to the bathroom, the drug label or an online database should be consulted to determine whether the medication can be safely flushed. Another option is to dispose of expired or unused medication in the household trash. In addition to actual drugs, this approach works well for items that can’t be easily flushed, such as needles and syringes. However, additional precautions should be taken before simply tossing the medications out with the evening trash. Before being thrown away, the medication should be removed from the original container and mixed with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter or coffee grounds.

3. Act promptly

Once finished with a medication, most people are in the habit of placing the drug back on the shelf. Although this makes sense for something like an OTC pain reliever or allergy medication that could easily be used again, other medications should be handled differently. In the case of stronger pain medication, such as opioids, or antibiotics prescribed for a specific infection, the safest choice is to dispose of the extra medication right away. By turning in any remaining pills, the potential for accidental ingestion, incorrect use of the drug, or abuse by other people in the family is limited.

Drug safety matters

Getting rid of extra or expired medication safely benefits the user, friends and family, and the larger community. A take back program is the safest disposal option, but flushing or trashing the drug is another possibility if needed. Act promptly to get rid of any extra medication to limit abuse or accidental ingestion. With prescription and OTC drugs safely turned in, people don’t have to worry about the repercussions of improper disposal, and communities stay safe.