Getting rid of unused prescription medication

13 years ago

I am cleaning out the odds and ends before moving. I have some leftover medications. Is this right?

For Pills and Liquids:

1. Keep the medicines in the original container. This will help identify the contents if they are accidentally ingested.

2. Remove your name and prescription number to safeguard your identity.

3.or pills, add some water or soda to start dissolving them.

4. For liquids, add something inedible like cat litter, dirt or cayenne pepper.

5. Close the lid and secure with duct tape or packing tape.

6. Place the bottle(s) inside an opaque (non see-through) container like a coffee can or plastic laundry bottle.

7. Tape that container closed.

8. Hide the container in the trash. Do not put in the recycle bin.

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Comments (11)

lindac
13 years ago
No....take all unused meds back to a pharmacy....they will dispose of them properly.
Flushing is not recommended as it adds "stuff" to the ground water/sewage system.
rob333 (zone 7b)
Original Author
13 years ago
I knew not flush, but will try the pharmacy.
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lasershow, I know what you are saying which is why most of what he had went down the toilet. It just hurts to see unopened packages of stuff get tossed as well. His doctor gave him an entire case with individual boxes of that medication. Like maybe 12 or 16 small boxes. All still sealed, etc. I tossed it and like I said, it hurt to do it. LOL. As far as narcotics, I really felt those were dispensed to my father without regard for what might happen, and I honestly felt he got very dependent on them. So much so much so I think it was a contributing factor to his ultimate failure to recover from surgery well and at other times. As a very active man in his 70's, after his surgery when the drugs started, he was dispondent, depressed, and very dependent on pain killers. (Mind you, he was cancer free at that point.) And they just kept writing perscriptions for more drugs no matter what I said. So... there will be no saving narcotics in my home. I'm going down this road with my mother as well, but her attitude is much different from his. Hopefully, I won't have to make those kinds of decisions for some time.
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So sorry you're having such a hard time trying to do the right thing, Susan. Over the last few years, since my husband's death and my quandary, our local attitude has changed considerably and we're now able to take unused meds to all of our local pharmacies plus the police stations. Perhaps all your calls will get the powers that be in your area to modernize their attitudes, as well. I'm sure that my dilemma contributed to our local action. I wasn't alone in my quest...and many a widow pleaded with our local system to relieve them of their burden. It became quite an issue. Although I'm sure the Clorox destroyed any harmful effects those meds may have had...I was still uncomfortable about disposing of the package so I understand exactly how you feel. Personally...I'm appalled that your hospital pharmacist gave you such dangerous advice. It would make me think twice about ever using their facility if he's indicative of their "talent". Anne
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Comments (10)
I feel like my life is tied to those books. They represent who I am. Is that why it's so hard for me to weed them out? Yes, that *IS* why it's so hard for you to weed them out. You don't want to let go of all of those identities. Thinking through that issue may help you. Are you *really* someone who will start a business? Or are you someone who will pipe-dream about it only (that's acceptable, btw; are don't need to act on every dream). I would say, don't go by cost. (do a Google search on "sunk cost"--the money is spent, don't worry about how much it was, bcs it's never coming back) Go by, "how much difference would it make in my life if I wanted them but didn't have them?" Will you be able to find info like it, in a book from the library? (even if the ones you donate aren't there)? Starting a business--there are tons of books in the library about that. Organizing--personally, I find doing it to be more useful than reading about it. Medical--I'd have said keep the ones you'd look in if someone was sick or injured in the middle of the night or weekend, but honestly I find very credible info on the Internet now, in just as much detail as you'd get from most of those books. How to write--are you writing? might you look up a grammatical turn of phrase? I might keep reference books. Diet--are there any details in those books that isn't covered by: "eat less, move around more"? LOL I would bet that you could get rid of nearly all of them.
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Turn in old/unused medications today--Sat.
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Comments (6)
Thanks, Susan! My drop-off site is 12 miles from here. I was asking about this a few months ago, but all I have to turn in are a couple of old, old meds from my pets, so I may hold on to them for another year. I drove 50 miles last night and have to do the same tomorrow. I was glad not to have to get in the car today, so if I do make it to the drop-off site it'll be because I gave myself a strong push. Maybe I'll call the site and ask if they'll be doing it again in summer. That would be a good time, as the county fills up with summer people and vacationers then.
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rob333 (zone 7b)
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you Linda!

I'm sorry I didn't say that. I was just really taken aback by another Lilo loss. Enough already!
anneliese_32
13 years ago
You might have to check with several pharmacies. I brought prescription pills which I really did not need (pain kind) back after having used one and they looked at me like I was off my rocker. Took them when I told them that they did not belong in the water supply and the landfill.
west_gardener
13 years ago
Good question. I have a bottle of Extra Strenght something or another left over that the dentist prescribed and I don't know what to do with it.
I would hesitate to take it to a pharmacy, who knows what they do with it. The link below describes how Rite Aid payed out one million dollars in fines for dumping their customer's personal information in the trash where anyone can get to it.
So,yes, Rob's #2 on the list is a yes.
I'll have to look into the other questions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rite Aid fined
west_gardener
13 years ago
Another thought.

Here is a link that might be useful: Congress is looking into the subject
Lisa_H OK
13 years ago
A friend of mine is an insulin-dependent diabetic. I was stunned to find out that she has to dispose of the syringes in a container filled with concrete. I thought there would be a local medical "hazardous" waste place. Nope.

I'm pretty sure when my mom died, the hospice people had us put most of her meds down the drain, with both them and us watching. Not a great idea, I agree.

I had heard about disposing of some meds in used cat litter.
coconut_nj
13 years ago
Rob, the methods you suggested are how our County and State suggest you get rid of them. In many states it's illegal to return to the pharmacy, so just check your pharmacy if they have take back programs. Also, different states have different regulations for disposal of hazardous waste, but your methods are the most commonly considered safe by the FDA.
lindac
13 years ago
When my husband died i had a veritable pharmacy or meds I couldn't use which I knew had been expensive and I wondered if there were someone who had no insurance who could use them...of course no pharmacy can reuse meds once they were dispensed, but I asked the pharmacist what to do. This wasn Rite Aid or Walgreens or Walmart...but just my neighborhood pharmacy. He explained that all pharmacies have drugs that for one reason or another they can't use and have to dispose of them properly.
When I had to give myself a daily shot during the Chemo, I had a sharps container that I was supposed to return to the hospital when I no longer needed it.
Linda c
mawheel
13 years ago
Rob, your list of what to do with unwanted Rx meds is so good, I've printed it out for future use. It's information that could save a life!
rob333 (zone 7b)
Original Author
13 years ago
Or, ironically, work can have a drive the week after I asked the question.

Here is a link that might be useful: disposal article

Getting rid of unused prescription medication

Comments (11)

lindac

rob333 (zone 7b)
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