Proper Disposal of Prescription Medications

There have been many questions in regard to the Expired Prescription Medication article. Over the next several article we will address more facets of expired medications, including contact information for major pharmaceutical manufacturers, side effects of expired medications, FDA guidelines, and others. In this article we will discuss:

There are Federal Guidelines for disposal of prescription drugs

• Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers and throw them in the trash. Leaving drugs in there original containers not only calls attention to the drug itself (i.e. to the dumpster divers, trash scanners, etc.), it contains personal contact information about the consumer (ah yes, the consumer is you).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 or sealable cans (NOT the original container from the pharmacy), will further ensure the drugs are not diverted into the wrong hands.
  

• Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs doing so (see box). When flushing, ensure that all of the medication leaves the bowl

• 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:
  
• 
  Actiq (fentanyl citrate)
  Daytrana Transdermal Patch (methylphenidate)
  Duragesic Transdermal System (fentanyl)
  OxyContin Tablets (oxycodone)
  Avinza Capsules (morphine sulfate)
  Baraclude Tablets (entecavir)
  Reyataz Capsules (atazanavir sulfate)
  Tequin Tablets (gatifloxacin)
  Zerit for Oral Solution (stavudine)
  Meperidine HCl Tablets
  Percocet (Oxycodone and Acetaminophen)
  Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate)
  Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet)

Note: Patients should always refer to printed material accompanying their medication for specific instructions. If the printed instructions and material are not available, you can use the information on the original container label to identify the manufacturer. From here you can visit the manufacturer's website or contact the company directly. Remember, your pharmacist is always a good resource for additional information. They love it when you call; it makes them feel important (and they are)!

For more information contact:

Office of National Drug Control Policy
750 17th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20503
phone (202) 395-6618; fax (202) 395-6730
www.WhiteHouseDrugPolicy.gov