Trash Meds Safely
What's the best plan for getting rid of old or leftover medicines? Answer this multiple-choice question to find out.
A. Keep them at home as a backup.
B. Give them to friends or family with similar conditions.
C. Flush them down the toilet.
D. Return them to a healthcare provider or pharmacy.
References: Patient practices and beliefs concerning disposal of medications. Seehusen, D. A., Edwards, J., Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine 2006 Nov-Dec;19(6):542-547.
Answer: D! Returning leftover or old medicines to a doctor or pharmacy is your best bet for safely disposing of them. For years, some doctors advised flushing medicines, but we now know that's not good for the environment. Same goes for rinsing them down the drain. Eventually, those medicines may make their way into lakes, rivers, and even tap water. Unfortunately, about half of people dump their old meds in the toilet.
Pharmacies that accept old meds will incinerate them -- the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of them -- or treat them as medical waste. But because of state laws, not all pharmacies will accept old meds.
So what's the next best option? Don't just toss them in the trash. Contact your local waste-management company for guidance. They may have an incineration facility for medications, or they may treat certain meds as hazardous waste.
