by Deborah Hudson, M.P.H. & Symphonie Grant, Pharm.D.
After the death of my grandmother, my mother gazed at all of the unused prescription medications that cluttered my grandmother’s medicine cabinet, laid on her night table, littered her dresser and loitered in the corners of her room. “What am I to do with all of these drugs?” she wondered.
Many consumers have asked that same question. They have medicine cabinets filled with medications that are either expired or no longer necessary. Some of those medications are costly, especially when used for pain management or cancer treatment. You may ask, “What is the harm in keeping these medications?”
Harm from unintentional overdose
Did you know that someone could get access to your unused medications and unintentionally overdose on them? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one person dies every 19 minutes in the United States due to prescription drug abuse. Most of those deaths involve painkillers. In 2007, there were 27,000 deaths by unintentional drug overdose reported in the U.S. Unused medications also poison thousands of children each year. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, in 2009, over 30 percent of the accidental poisoning deaths among children resulted from taking unused medications.
What about giving unused medications to friends or family members? Not a good idea. Unused medications, especially prescriptions, are intended only for the person for whom they are prescribed. The medication that works for Aunt Wilma may not work for someone else. In fact, it may make someone else sick. So, what is the right way to dispose of unused medications?
One person dies every 19 minutes in the United States due to prescription drug abuse
In 2007, there were 27,000 deaths by unintentional drug overdose
In 2009, over 30 percent of accidental deaths among children resulted from taking unused medications
Disposal in the trash
Although many drugs can be safely disposed of in the household trash, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends taking certain precautions. The current recommendations for disposal involve mixing the medications in an unpalatable substance such as coffee grounds, then sealing the mixed product in a plastic bag or container, and disposing the plastic bag or container in the trash. When disposing of prescription medication, the FDA also recommends that you protect your identity by removing all personal information, such as your name and address, from the label before you dispose of the bottle. To determine whether your medication can be disposed of from home, the FDA further recommends that you read the product label for instructions, consult with the product’s manufacturer, or consult with your local pharmacist. This is especially important if you need to dispose of syringes.
Flushing medications
Another medication disposal method involves flushing medications down the toilet or sink. The rationale for flushing medications is to eliminate the risk of harm to individuals in the home. Flushing offers a quick removal of medications down the drain and prevents accidental exposure. But what are the environmental risks associated with flushing medications? Based on the FDA’s recommendations, the potential risk from accidental exposure outweighs the potential risk to the environment. Some prescription medications approved for flushing include: morphine, oxycodone and hydromorphone. A complete list of medications recommended for disposal by flushing can be viewed on the FDA’s website at fda.gov.
National Take-Back Program
As a result of a new federal law signed by President Barack Obama in 2010, states are creating take-back programs to help consumers safely dispose of unused medications. The National Take-Back Program, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), provides an opportunity to safely and legally dispose of unused medications.
The next National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is scheduled for Sat., April 27, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you missed the opportunity to dispose of unused medications during previous events, mark your calendar and plan to participate this month. Remember, it’s free! It’s also anonymous! Sites will accept prescription and over-the-counter medications. Please note, however, that sites will not accept needles, injectables or intravenous solutions. By working together, we can reduce medication abuse by safely and properly disposing of unused medications. Let’s dispose of medications the right way.