How to Dispose of Medication

Bring medications to a local drug take-back location.

This is the best option for avoiding pollution or accidental swallowing. Some pharmacies, police stations, hospitals, and government buildings have drug drop boxes for expired and unused drugs. This is the recommended option because it keeps drugs out of the environment and ensures that no one will take them accidentally. Check online to see if one of these locations is near you, and if so, bring your medications there. If you’re in the US, find take-back locations by visiting the DEA’s webpage here: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1/. In most cases, you just have to leave the medications in a container that looks like a mailbox. Ask an employee if you don't know where to go. Many pharmacies accept medications or have safe disposal kiosks where you can drop them off at any time.

Mail drugs in if your state has a mail-back program.

This is similar to a drug drop-off location, but even more convenient. Some states or businesses run mail-back programs, so do an internet search for these programs in your area. If there is one, then all you have to do is seal your medications up in a box, address it to the right place, add or pay the postage, and drop them off at the Post Office. Each program has specific instructions, so always follow the directions provided. Call a representative from the program if you have any questions. Some programs may send you a postage-paid box so you don't have to worry about postage.

Take part in National Drug Take-Back Day.

This is a national event where drop off locations open up all over. It's also a great reminder to check all your medications and find any that are expired. If Take Back Day is approaching, then this is a safe and convenient way to dispose of your medications. For information about Take Back Day dates and locations, visit https://www.dea.gov/takebackday. Take Back Day usually doesn't accept illegal drugs or any drug paraphernalia like syringes.

Flush medications that are on the approved FDA flush list.

A drop-box is ideal, but this is a backup for hazardous medications. The FDA considers some drugs like opioids too dangerous to leave around your home or throw in the garbage. There is a high risk for addiction and overdose with these medications. First check to see if the medication is on the FDA's official flush list. If it is, then pour it down the toilet and flush it. Find the full FDA flush list here: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-fdas-flush-list-certain-medicines#FlushList Most of the drugs on the flush list are opioids like suboxone, Vicodin, and oxycontin. These are very addictive and there's a high risk for an overdose. Note that this is only a backup plan if there is no drug take-back location near you. You may have heard that flushing medications is bad for the environment. The FDA actually studied the issue and determined that the environmental impact is minimal, and the benefits of preventing accidental use outweigh any risks.

Throw used or old fentanyl patches down the toilet.

Fentanyl patches still contain opioids when they're used. This means that throwing them in the regular trash is dangerous. If you don't have a local drug collection site, then the FDA recommends flushing these down the toilet as well.

Wrap other pills in a plastic bag and throw them away.

All other medications can go in the regular trash if they're mixed correctly. Pour the medication into a plastic bag and mix it with something unappealing like used coffee grounds, kitty litter, or dirt. This prevents anyone from tampering with it in the trash. Then seal up the bag and throw it in the regular garbage. This is the approved method or any old or unneeded prescription medications that aren't on the flush list, as well as expired household medications like Advil, Pepto Bismol, Zyrtec, Benadryl, and Aspirin. You could also use a can or plastic container, as long as its something sealable so the drugs don't leak out.

Throw creams and patches in the regular trash.

You can use the same coffee grinds and bag trick for these. Pour or place them into a plastic bag, add some coffee grounds or dirt, and seal the bag up. Then throw it in the regular trash like any other garbage. The only exception here is fentanyl patches, which should be flushed or brought to a drop-off location.

Contact your local trash collectors to get rid of inhalers.

Inhalers are actually hazardous because they're pressurized. It's dangerous to throw them in the regular trash or recycling. The FDA recommends that you contact your local trash collection agency and ask their procedure for getting rid of inhalers. Follow their instructions to keep everyone safe. Inhalers are considered aerosols, so generally, the trash collectors will follow the procedures for handling this type of waste.

Seal syringes and needles in a plastic container.

These could poke or stab someone in the garbage. The recommended method for safety getting rid of them is placing them in a sharps container or a sealable plastic container and closing it tightly. Then label the container clearly by writing "Used Needles" on it so trash collectors know to be careful. This also includes EpiPens or other types of autoinjectors. They have a sharp point that could hurt someone. If you don't have a sharps container, something like a detergent bottle will work fine. This is a backup plan for if you don't have a drug take-back location nearby.

Remove any personal information before throwing bottles out.

You don't want anyone getting this information from your pill bottle. Either peel the label off and rip it up, or use a black permanent marker to completely cover any text on the bottle. This is a good way to avoid identity theft or privacy issues. Most medication containers are plastic, so be sure to throw them in the recycle bin after getting rid of the information.