by hotmonga on June 15th, 2009
If you're connected to a septic system, flush'em.
by Ailsa on June 15th, 2009
There is a program at the pharmacy here where any expired or un-needed/wanted medications can be returned to the pharmacy and they dispose of them safely
by ChuckExAnon on June 15th, 2009
Good morning, Chief. I've read two answers here, both suggesting taking the expired meds back to the pharmacy.
One ABer flat out says not to flush them down the toilet, which would be the natural inclination of most people. The problem is, I don't understand why that would not be the best/easiest solution.
The only other one I can think of is to dispose of them using the garbage disposal.
I definitely would not just put them in the trash.
+5
by Anonymous on June 15th, 2009
If your city or town has a website, there are probably instructions on how to dispose of hazardous waste, expired medicine is considered hazardous waste, it should be disposed as such. Contact your local hazardous waste facility to see its recommendations.
by Kitt-tastrophy on June 15th, 2009
Take them to the nearest pharmacy...I believe they'll dispose of them safely for you there!
by Reapz on June 15th, 2009
Sell them to a junkie!
by account closed on June 15th, 2009
The safest way is to bring them to the pharmacist for disposal. Do not flush them as this will have an adverse effect on the fish and water creatures. Have you ever seen the fish near a nuclear power plant?! Not a pretty sight to see.
by -NUNYA-- on June 15th, 2009
I've put them down the toilet and I have dumped them in the garbage. +5
by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on June 15th, 2009
Don't flush them or put them down the drain. If you are connected to a sewerage treatment system, it's not equipped to break down prescription drugs. That means they may be eventually released into lakes or streams where they gradually build in concentration and may help bacteria they are targeted to destroy evolve resistance.
http://www.ecocycle.org/askeco-cycle/20040123.cfm
by Ironhead on June 15th, 2009
Well, I always flush them down the toilet.
by Duck on June 15th, 2009
What most people don't know is that expired meds. still have most if not all of their potency for up to two years past the expiration date. Expired meds are givin (the unopened ones) to people in third world countries with no ill effects. With the cost of prescriptions these days it might be wise to hold on to them a bit longer. No telling if you might need one of them next week or next month. However if you must dispose of them return them to the pharmacy.
by ashim.port on June 15th, 2009
dig to the earth
by Sealan on June 15th, 2009
Do not flush it down the toilet!
There, with that out of my system, we may move on. Most pharmacies will take expired medication and dispose of it safely. If you're unsure, talk to your pharmacist or whoever perscribed your medication. They should be able to tell you or, if they don't know, should be able to find out for you.
by gilly on June 15th, 2009
return them to the parmacy they dispose of them
by WI.Registered Nurse on August 28th, 2009
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy issued the following guidelines in 2007 for the proper disposal of prescription medications:
Follow any specific disposal instructions on the drug label or patient information that accompanies the medication. Do not flush prescription drugs down the toilet unless this information specifically instructs you to do so.
If no instructions are given, throw the drugs in the household trash, but first: Remove the drugs from their original containers and mix them with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter. The medication will be less appealing to children and pets, and unrecognizable to people who intentionally may go through your trash.
Put the drugs (or the mixture of drugs with an undesirable substance) in a sealable bag, empty can, or other container to prevent the medication from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag.
Take advantage of community drug take-back programs that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal. Call your city or county government's household trash and recycling service (see the blue pages in a phone book) to determine if a take-back program is available in your community.
As part of the aforementioned policy, the government recommends the following drugs be flushed down the toilet instead of thrown in the trash. The goal is to reduce the danger of unintentional use or overdose and illegal abuse.
Actiq (fentanyl citrate)
Avinza Capsules (morphine sulfate)
Baraclude Tablets (entecavir)
Daytrana Transdermal Patch (methylphenidate)
Duragesic Transdermal System (fentanyl)
Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet)
Meperidine HCl Tablets
OxyContin Tablets (oxycodone)
Percocet (Oxycodone and Acetaminophen)
Reyataz Capsules (atazanavir sulfate)
Tequin Tablets (gatifloxacin)
Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate)
Zerit for Oral Solution (stavudine)
by ujamaciamecrazy on September 18th, 2009
Do not flush,or throw away,let your pharmasist dispose of,meds and diabetic needles.Theres been a study done where traces of medication has seeped into the water table,and is in drinking water.
by Lion Heart sleeps on June 15th, 2009
Liquid- Empty the content and dispose the bottle like the other ones
Solid. Throw it directly in the Garbage!
Can i trust an online pharmacy?
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Comments
Thank you :)
by Account Closed on June 15th, 2009
im sorry to be the one to tell you this, but pharmaceuticals are winding up in our water supplies because of flushing. watersheds are contaminated when septic systems malfunction...
by Shan is Purrrrrfectly Happy on June 19th, 2009