Medication Disposal Safety Tips
Keeping YOU and your family safe!
Dispose of expired or unwanted prescriptions and
over-the-counter drugs safely. NEVER dispose by
flushing down the toilet or other drain.
Doing this can cause harm to the planet, animals,
YOU and your family.
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Where
can I properly dispose of
my unused medications?
Check to see if there are any drug take-back
programs near you. If there is not a program near
you, follow the steps in the Staying Safe box on
the right to dispose of unwanted drugs.
Why
do I need to properly dispose
of my unused medications?
It isn’t safe to flush drugs down drains or throw them
out in the trash. Drugs flushed down drains can harm
the water supply that we drink, and wildlife. Dispose
of drugs the right way to prevent someone taking
them by accident, or through an illegal sale. Protect
children and pets from harm caused by accidental in
gestion.
Who
can I talk to if I am unsure
about how to properly dispose of
my unused medications?
Ask your VA pharmacist how to safely dispose of
your medications.
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Staying Safe
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How can I stay safe when
disposing of unused medicines?
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- Keep prescriptions in the
original container. This will
help identify the contents if
they are accidentally ingested.
- Before disposing, mark out your
name and prescription number on
the label for safety.
- Add some water or soda to pills to
start dissolving them. Mix pills or
liquid drugs with something that
you cannot eat, like cat litter or
dirt.
- Close the lid and secure with
duct or packing tape.
- Place the bottle(s) inside a
non-see through container like
a coffee can or detergent bottle.
- Tape that container closed.
- Hide the container in the trash.
Do not put in the recycle bin.
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