How to Safely Dispose of Unused Medicine

Old pills sitting in a cabinet can be misused, accidentally taken by kids or pets, or even stolen. Here’s how to clear them out safely. 

Take them to a drop-off site or mail them back (best options)

Washington’s Safe Medication Return lets people dispose of unneeded over-the-counter and prescription medications for people and pets. You can find locations and order mail-back supplies at medtakebackwashington.org or 844-4-TakeBack (844-482-5322), TTY 711.

If you can’t find a drop-off or mail option, check the “flush list”

Some medicines are dangerous enough that the FDA specifically recommends flushing them down the toilet if a take-back option isn’t nearby. Check the label, patient leaflet, or the FDA’s flush list at www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-fdas-flush-list-certain-medicines#FlushListLinks before doing this. This mainly applies to high-risk drugs like fentanyl patches, because even after use they retain a lot of the medicine.

Everything else: trash it the right way

If your medicine isn’t on the flush list, don’t just toss the bottle in the bin. Instead:

  • Take the pills or liquid out of their original containers and mix them with something unpleasant (such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds) to discourage kids, pets, or anyone digging through the trash. Don’t crush pills.
  • Seal the mixture in a container like a zip-top bag.
  • Throw it in your household trash.
  • Be sure to scratch out all personal info (including your Rx number) on the empty bottle or packaging before tossing or recycling it.

A few special cases:

  • Inhalers/aerosols: these can be dangerous if punctured or incinerated, so contact your local trash/recycling facility for proper handling. Don’t just toss them in the bin.
  • Needles, syringes, sprays, lozenges: these often have their own disposal rules, check the instructions that came with the prescription or ask your pharmacist.

Quick note on flushing: researchers have found no evidence of environmental harm from flushing medicines that are actually on the FDA’s approved flush list, so don’t worry if a drug’s instructions tell you to flush it. 

Remember: take-back or mail-back first, flush only if it’s on the FDA list, and trash everything else (with your personal info scratched off any packaging).

Source: fda.gov