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Proper Disposal for Old and Unused Medications

It’s common for medicine cabinets to become cluttered with old medications that have either expired or haven’t even been used. Although most medicines can simply be tossed into the garbage with other household trash, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises consumers to be careful before throwing medicines away, as each one differs in terms of safety. Some drugs can be flushed down the toilet, while others can be donated to a variety of community-based “take-back” programs.

FDA Guidelines for Disposal

In February 2007, the FDA joined forces with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to create guidelines for the proper disposal of prescription medications. The guidelines developed and now implemented include:

• Follow all instructions on the drug label or patient information sheet accompanying the drug
• Do not flush medications down the toilet unless given information instructs you to do so
• If there are no instructions regarding how to dispose of the medication, throw the drug in the trash, but first:
- Take it out of the container and mix it with another substance, such as kitty litter or coffee grounds. This way, the medication is less appealing to children and pets.
- Put the medication in a sealed bag to prevent it from leaking into the trash

Other Helpful Tips

Illisa Bernstein, the Director of Pharmacy Affairs for the FDA, also has the following tips for consumers looking to get rid of old medicines:

• Scratch out all personal information on the prescription to protect your privacy
• Do not give medications to friends or family members. The prescription was given to you in regards to your specific needs and could be harmful to others
• Talk to your pharmacist if you’re not sure about correct disposal methods

Environmental Concerns

Aside from general safety, there is another reason why it’s important to be cautious when throwing away drugs -- its effect on the environment. Many environmental experts are now questioning how safe flushing medicine is for our environment, specifically our water.

Drug companies are now required to submit an application package to the FDA before a medication gets approval. The application consists of information assessing how the drug could impact the environment.

The bottom line: Think twice when disposing of those old or unused medications – for the safety of others and the good of our environment.

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