Proper way to dispose of old drugs?

[Seeker]

What IS the proper way to dispose of old prescription drugs?

I'm afraid to toss them into the garbage bins because of all the cats and children in the area... So I've sorta been melting them in hot water and let them drain into the sink. But I'm not sure of what that does either.

What is the recommended way?

[Confetti]

Please do NOT put them down the sink or flush them. They get into the water supply. Our area has had a problem with this, so the local authorities have instituted medicine disposal times. They collect it all and dispose properly.

[disneysteve]

I agree. Do not put them in the sink or toilet. Crush them up and trash them. If you are concerned about someone getting into your trash, put them out right before trash pick up time.

[FrugalFish]

If you're in CA (as your profile says) then there's very likely a hazardous waste disposal location near you. Sometimes they throw a big event a couple times a year when you can dispose of any hazardous household waste you might have. In some areas there are permanent facilities that are open a few times a month.

Try searching online for your county + hazardous household waste. Or ask a local pharmacy if they know who takes old drugs for proper disposal.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I don't no if this was even legal, and even if it is it might be difficult to find someone to set this up with but-- I used to know a doctor who collected supplies, including medicines, to take to a clinic in central America which served the poor. If your meds are actually still good you could look around for an arrangement like that. Skip all the huge charities; none of them would bother. Ask very small medical charities, maybe local religious congregations that sponsor medical missions. My friend personally evaluated every single item taken and personally took them to C.A., then personally dispensed the items.--That's pretty much how small it has to be to take meds from your home cabinet.

[Ralff]

I asked a pharmacist this same question about a month ago. Basically, assuming you still have the medication bottles, the steps are:

Fill the bottle about halfway with water (with the meds inside) and close it

Cover up your personal information on the bottle (sharpie, paint, etc)

Duct tape the bottle closed

Place bottle in an old coffee can or similar

Toss in trash


Hope this helps.

[irmanator]

I mix them with used kitty litter. not likely anyone gonna eat them after that.

[creditcardfree]

Just last year there was a clinic that held a collection in our area of outdated unwanted prescription nonprescription drugs and vitamins. They were going to incinerate them following the collection.

Please don't put them in our water supply...effectively we are all on the drugs anyone has ever flushed down the toilet, even if it is trace amounts.

[kenyantykoon]

you could burn them or flush them or bury them or something

[inneedofhelp]

Many pharmacies have programs where they will take unused prescriptions and donate them to other countries where the need for medicine is high.

[kork13]

I figured this might be a decent time to ask... Scanner refers to "old drugs". I know that pills have "expiration" or "use by" dates, but I've heard that they are more or less notional... That makes sense to me, I mean the drugs in pills are rather solid-state, so I don't expect that they would change much over time, as long as they're kept dry and out of direct sunlight... Or am I mistaken? I can see how certain drugs, like stuff that absolutely must be kept chilled, could go 'bad', but do most pills really lose their potency (perhaps even safety?) with time?

[inneedofhelp]

I figured this might be a decent time to ask... Scanner refers to "old drugs". I know that pills have "expiration" or "use by" dates, but I've heard that they are more or less notional... That makes sense to me, I mean the drugs in pills are rather solid-state, so I don't expect that they would change much over time, as long as they're kept dry and out of direct sunlight... Or am I mistaken? I can see how certain drugs, like stuff that absolutely must be kept chilled, could go 'bad', but do most pills really lose their potency (perhaps even safety?) with time?

It depends upon the type of medication, if it was in direct sunlight, etc.

I still think it would be best to give the pills to a local pharmacy---they can determine which pills can still be donated, and which pills need to be destroyed. Due to the issue and awareness of pills affecting our water supply, I am sure that many pharmacies now have green disposal options. If one doesn't know what you are talking about, then try another. I am all for the donation of the pills to people in other countries that need them.

[Seeker]

"Old drugs" as in no longer usable because the prescription has changed to require a lower dosage.

These were DH's drugs (he is a diabetic), losing weight and getting more exercise (finally). The drugs are not in direct sunlight and could still be usable to someone requiring a specific dosage... but probably not in too many other poor countries.

He belongs to an HMO and they have their own pharmacy. I have him ask what to do with the no-longer usable ones....

Thanks all.

[Snodog]

I just hand them out to all the kiddies on halloween. They luv em.

[disneysteve]

I figured this might be a decent time to ask... Scanner refers to "old drugs". I know that pills have "expiration" or "use by" dates, but I've heard that they are more or less notional... That makes sense to me, I mean the drugs in pills are rather solid-state, so I don't expect that they would change much over time, as long as they're kept dry and out of direct sunlight... Or am I mistaken? I can see how certain drugs, like stuff that absolutely must be kept chilled, could go 'bad', but do most pills really lose their potency (perhaps even safety?) with time?

Most expiration dates are basically marketing tools designed to sell more product. There are some drugs that do start to degrade. I believe tetracycline is one of them. Liquids also break down quicker. Pills and capsules are much more stable.

Pharmacies often put an "expiration" date on labels of one year after the date the medicine was dispenses. That is not actually the expiration date from the stock bottle which could be months or a year or more later. They just do that to be consistent.

That said, I have had patients bring in bottles of pills that were as much as 15 years past the expiration date. I advised them to get rid of them immediately.