Today, April 26th is National Drug Take Back Day. This is a good reminder to clean out your medicine cabinet whether it’s a prescription or over the counter (OTC) medication of anything that is expired, you are no longer using, or your just plain unsure about. This is a good way to help make sure you, family, friends, kids and pets are safe from ingesting something they shouldn’t.
Step 1: Take all your medications-both prescription and OTC-and put them on a table. OTC meds can often be scattered around the house, in a purse, and even a first aid kit. Make sure they’re on the table as well.
Step 2: Sort them into categories
• Meds that you currently use.
• Meds that are expired, damaged, no longer being used or are unsure about.
• Prescription medications that have not expired and possibly could be useful to someone else.
Step 3: Find a medication drop box that is convenient for you. Use Google Maps link (mobile-friendly) or go to Google Maps and type in "drug disposal near me" or "medication disposal near me" to find your nearest drug disposal location.
Many pharmacies, such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Rite Aid, as well as police departments and hospitals have “Drop boxes.” Check before you go as to what they will take beyond pills and patches. Many programs don’t take liquids or syringes.
Check with your local health department to see if they have any special programs. Some states offer Mail-Back Envelopes.
Step 4: Prescription Drug Donation and Reuse Programs: Unopened medication that has not been used has the potential to benefit someone who can’t afford them. Some states have donation programs. Check the map to see if your state has a prescription drug repository program.
You can also donate medications through programs like Sirum and SafeNetRx.
When possible, dispose of medications in the manner described above. Flushing or tossing medications in the trash creates dangers to our waterways and land. However, if you don’t have a drug take-back location near you or if drug mail-back envelopes are not available to you, check the FDA’s Flush List to see if your medicine is on the list. Medicines on the flush list are those (1) sought-after for their misuse and/or abuse potential and (2) that can result in death from one dose if inappropriately taken. If children, adults, or pets in your home accidentally or intentionally ingest, touch, misuse, or abuse a medicine on the flush list, they can suffer serious consequences including death.
Medications not on the “flush list” can be discarded in the trash by mixing with things you wouldn’t want to eat and sealing in a container. Ideal options include used coffee grounds, cat litter, dirt, or soap. You should not crush or open tablets before mixing them with something unappetizing.
Don’t forget to cross out any personal information on the pill bottles by pulling off the label or just cross out names and birthdates with a dark marker.
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