Myth or fact: How to dispose of expired medications

We’ve all been there – that cluttered medicine cabinet lurking in the bathroom, filled with half-empty pill bottles, expired cough syrups, and unused prescriptions from who knows when. In the past, the go-to method was to flush old or unused medications down the toilet and while that might seem like a quick fix, is it the safest or most appropriate form of disposal? There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding medication disposal that can have harmful consequences – so let’s separate the myths from the facts to ensure we’re all doing our part in safe medication disposal.

Myth #1: Flushing medications down the toilet is a safe and convenient way to dispose of them.

Flushing medications down the toilet might seem like a convenient solution, but this practice can be harmful to public health. Pharmaceuticals can seep into our water supply, potentially affecting the environment and could even end up in our drinking water.

The “flush list,” created by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), identifies specific medications that should be flushed down the toilet if no other disposal options are available. Medications on the flush list are considered dangerous, and even deadly, if accidentally ingested or misused by adults, children, and pets. By flushing these powerful and potentially harmful medicines on the flush list, it can help to keep everyone in your home safe. Remember, only flush medicines on the flush list if another option is not readily available.

Myth #2: Crushing or breaking tablets is a good way to make them safe for disposal.

Crushing or breaking tablets/capsules might not eliminate the active ingredients. This could still pose a risk to people or wildlife who encounter them in the trash. Some medications are designed to be long-acting or controlled-release and crushing them can be dangerous.

Myth #3: It’s safe to share leftover medications with family or friends.

Sharing prescription medications is not only dangerous but is illegal. Prescription medications are specifically prescribed for an individual’s medical condition and can be harmful or ineffective for someone else. Sharing or using someone else’s medication can lead to serious consequences.

Myth #4: There’s no need to worry about expired medications.

Those expiration dates on your pill bottles are there for a reason! Over time, medications may lose their potency and effectiveness, or even become dangerous. It’s important to check the expiration date on your medications and dispose of them appropriately when they’re no longer needed.

In a world where prescription and over-the-counter medications play a crucial role in maintaining our health, it’s equally important to be aware of the responsible ways to dispose of them. Now that we’ve debunked some common myths about medication disposal, let’s explore safe and responsible ways to dispose of expired, unused, and unwanted medications:

Take-back locations: Many pharmacies, healthcare, and/or law enforcement facilities run take-back programs, enabling you to return unused or expired medications for proper disposal.

Take back options are the best way to safely dispose of most types of unused or expired medications. Find a take-back location near you or call the DEA Diversion Control Division Registration Call Center at 1-800-882-9539.

Local collection events: Look into local government or community organizations for special medication disposal events or temporary drop-off locations.

Disposal in household trash: If none of the above options are available, you can dispose of medications safely in your trash. Just follow these simple steps:

• Mix the medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with something unappealing like used coffee grounds or cat litter;
• Place mixture in a sealed container or bag;
• Throw away the container in your household trash