Unused Medications: What Should I Do With Them?

While many consumers continue throw away medications in the trash or flush medications down the toilet, consumers should be aware of a much safer disposal alternative: community-based “take-back” programs.

In February 2007, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), working together with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), issued the first consumer guidance for proper disposal of prescription medications. Last updated in 2009, the federal guidelines recommend patients should:

1. Follow any specific disposal instructions on the medication label or patient information that accompanies the medication. Flushing prescription medications down the toilet is not recommended unless the disposal instructions specifically instruct you to do so.
2. Take advantage of community drug take-back programs that allow the public to bring unused medications to a central location for proper disposal.
3. If no instructions are given on the medication label and no take-back program is available in your area, you can throw the medications in the household trash, but first you should:
• Take the medication(s) out of their original containers and mix them with an undesirable substance such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter to make the medications less appealing to children, pets and other individuals who may intentionally go through your trash.
• Consider putting the medications in a sealable bag, empty can or other container to prevent the medications from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag.

1. To protect the identity and privacy of your personal health information, strongly consider scratching out all identifying information on the prescription labels prior to throwing a medication container away.
2. Never give medications to another family member or friend as the patient specific medication that was prescribed for you could be extremely harmful to another individual.
3. Whenever you have any questions about medication disposal, consult your pharmacist.