Pharmaceutical Waste:

Disposing of Unwanted Medications

 

Expired or unwanted prescription or over-the-counter medications from households have traditionally been disposed of by flushing them down the toilet or drain. Although this method of disposal prevents immediate accidental ingestion, it can cause pollution in wastewater ultimately causing adverse effects in fish and other aquatic wildlife. When the water is eventually recycled, it can also cause unintentional human exposure to the chemicals contained in medications.

____________________________________________________

 

How to Dispose of Unwanted Medications at Home:

 

Your unwanted medications may be disposed of in your trash. Please follow these precautions to prevent accidental or intentional ingestion:

 

èKeep the medication in its original container!

The labels may contain safety information and the caps are typically childproof. Scratch out the patient's name or cover it with permanent marker. Be sure to leave the content information clearly visible.

 

èModify the contents to discourage consumption!

Solid medications:  Add a small amount of water to pills or capsules to partially dissolve them.

Liquid Medications:  Add enough table salt, flour, charcoal, or non-toxic powdered spice (such as turmeric or mustard) to make a pungent, unsightly mixture that no one would ingest.

Blister Packs:  Wrap packages containing pills in multiple layers of opaque tape, such as duct tape.

 

èSeal and conceal!

Tape the medication container lid shut with packing or duct tape and place inside a non-transparent bag or container like a yogurt or margarine tub to ensure the contents cannot be seen.

 

èDiscard the container in your garbage can!

DO NOT PLACE IN THE RECYCLING BIN! Do not conceal medicines in food products because they may be inadvertently consumed by wildlife scavengers.

 

 

 

 

12/10/2007