Getting rid of unused medicines safely

Unused and expired medicines turn up in bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms and purses. They're a risk if someone takes a medicine prescribed for another person, or if a child or pet swallows one. A take-back option is the best way to get rid of most prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and it destroys everything dropped off. When none is close, the FDA flush list and the household trash cover the rest.

What you need

• The medicines, in their bottles and packaging
• A zip-top plastic bag
• Dirt, cat litter or used coffee grounds
• A marker, to black out the labels

Steps

1. 1

   Gather the medicines

   Check every cabinet, drawer, bag and purse for medicines that are expired or no longer used.

   10 min

2. 2

   Scratch out the personal information

   Black out your name and the prescription details on every bottle label and package.

   5 min

3. 3

   Take them to a drug take-back location

   Some retail, hospital and clinic pharmacies and law enforcement offices are registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to collect medicines, including controlled substances. They may have a kiosk or a drop-off box.

   30 min

4. 4

   Or mail them back

   Some pharmacies sell prepaid drug mail-back envelopes, or give them out free. Fill the envelope, seal it and mail it through the U.S. Postal Service.

   5 min

5. 5

   Flush only what's on the flush list

   If there's no take-back option, check the FDA flush list. It covers medicines with misuse potential that can kill with a single dose taken by the wrong person, such as those containing fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine or methadone. Don't flush anything that isn't on the list.

   2 min

6. 6

   Put the rest in the trash

   Take the medicines out of their containers and mix them, without crushing tablets or capsules, with dirt, cat litter or used coffee grounds. Seal the mixture in a plastic bag and put it in the household trash. Throw out or recycle the empty bottles.

   5 min

Take-back days and special cases

The DEA hosts National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days from time to time, with temporary drop-off sites in communities across the country. Local law enforcement sometimes holds its own events, and the local waste authority can tell you about others nearby.

If a doctor or pharmacist gave you disposal instructions for a medicine, follow them. Sprays, lozenges and other unusual forms can have their own instructions in the package insert or medication guide.

Why some medicines get flushed

The medicines on the flush list are dangerous enough that a single accidental dose can kill a child, an adult or a pet. Flushing them when no take-back option is close keeps them from being found, touched or misused. The FDA studied the active ingredients on the list and found they pose negligible risk to the environment.