Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs
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Federal Guidelines:
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Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers and throw them in the trash.
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Mixing prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter, and putting them in impermeable, non-descript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags, will further ensure the drugs are not diverted.
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Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs doing so.
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Take advantage of community pharmaceutical take-back programs that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal. Some communities have pharmaceutical take-back programs or community solid-waste programs that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal. Where these exist, they are a good way to dispose of unused pharmaceuticals.
The FDA advises that the following drugs be flushed down the toilet instead of thrown in the trash:
Note: Patients should always refer to printed material accompanying their medication for specific instructions. |