Teens get most of the prescription drugs they misuse from family and friends. Get rid of expired, unwanted, or unused medicines before they become a problem. Check your medicine. There may be instructions for how to dispose of it properly. If not, here are your options:
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ReturnReturn your unused medicines to an authorized collector.
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FlushFind out which medicines you can safely flush down the toilet.
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TossFollow these simple steps to dispose of medicines in the household trash.
Step 1: Return
Return your unused medicines to an authorized collector.
Find
Find an authorized disposal location near you where you can turn in your medicines.
Contact
Contact your local law enforcement about where to give back your medicines if you are unable to find an authorized disposal location.
Learn
Learn about National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
Step 2: Flush
Find out which medicines you can safely flush down the toilet.
Check
See if your medicine is on this FDA's Medicines Recommended for Disposal by Flushing list.
Flush
If your medicine is on the FDA list, flush it down the toilet.
Return
If your medicine is NOT on the FDA list, find a collection site near you.
Step 3: Toss
Follow these simple steps to dispose of medicines in the household trash.
Mix
Mix medicines (do not crush tables or capsules) with an unpalatable substance such as dirt, kitty litter, or used coffee grounds.
Place
Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;
Throw
Throw the container in your household trash;
Scratch Out
Scratch out all personal information on the prescription label of your empty pill bottle or empty medicine packaging to make it unreadable; then dispose of the container.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know, April 2018.
