Proper Disposal of Medications

Although medicines are necessary for treating diseases and conditions, they must be handled with care. Medicines can be particularly harmful if they are not disposed of properly. Most medicines can be disposed of with household trash. However, it is recommended that they be mixed with something inedible such as soiled pet litter or coffee grounds and then securely sealed in a plastic bag or container. This will keep the medications away from pets, young children, and anyone else that may discover them in the garbage.

Disposal by Flushing

Medicines that are particularly harmful or that may cause fatalities if taken improperly should be disposed of with great caution. The FDA recommends that unused or expired medicines that are potentially harmful or addictive be flushed down a toilet or sink. However, not all medicines should be disposed of by flushing. The patient should have received disposal information about individual medications when he or she had his or her prescription filled.

Drug take-back programs are another safe disposal method. However, each city/county may have certain regulations about what medications can be taken back. Local pharmacists should be able to give the patient information about these programs. The FDA is currently working with drug manufacturers on other safe disposal methods.

Environmental Impact

Although trace amounts of medicines have been discovered in the water system, it is not believed to be the result of flushing unwanted drugs. Scientists have proven that medicine found in water is largely due to the body’s natural elimination processes. Also, medications that remain in the patient’s home are much more dangerous to both humans and animals than the minuscule amounts that are found in water.

The FDA recommends that the following medicines be disposed of by flushing:

Xyrem oral solution

Percodan tablets

Percocet tablets

Oxycotin tablets

Oramorph RS sustained release tablets

Opana ER extended release tablets

Opana immediate release tablets

Onsolis soluble film

MS Contin extended release tablets

Morphine Sulfate immediate release tablets and oral solution

Methadose tablets

Methadone Hydrochloride oral solution

Kadian extended release capsules

Fentora tablets

Exlago extended release tablets

Embeda extended release capsules

Duragesic extended release patches

Dolophine Hydrochloride tablets

Dilaudid tablets and oral liquid

Diastat rectal gel

Demoral tablets and oral solution

Daytrana patches

Avinza extended release capsules

Actiq oral transmucosal lozenges