Many people have several prescription medications lying without use in their cabinets. The medications are either expired or no longer needed. Such drugs need to be disposed properly to avoid potential misuse or abuse. There are several methods for pharmaceutical disposal that one can opt for. Not all methods are suitable for all medications and one should be careful. Below are general tips and methods on safe disposal.
Leaving unused or expired medications in the home exposes them to potential misuse or abuse. Most medications do not produce any adverse effects if taken by individuals they were not initially prescribed for. However, that is not always true because there is a small group of medicines that can have very adverse effects. Besides that, children and elderly people in a household are more likely to consume the medications accidentally or intentionally, something that can cause serious effects or death in extreme situations.
Like stated above, not all methods are suitable for all kinds of medication. Instructions on how to get rid of medication that one does not need anymore can be found on the labels. The instructions must be followed carefully if mistakes are to be avoided. Most medications also come with patient information leaflets, which may contain disposal instructions.
One of the methods that can be used is throwing in the trash. One can dispose the drugs in their household trash where they will most probably end up in landfills or other places where garbage is usually taken. This option is safe for people who live alone and do not have small children or mentally unstable adults around. Children and adults of unsound mind may dig into the trash and consume the drugs without the knowledge of sound-minded adults.
It is totally safe to dispose less harmful medications down the sink. The sink could be located in the kitchen or bathroom although the bathroom one is more preferable. Medications come in various forms including liquids, tablets, powders, and capsules and when flashing, everything must completely go down the sink. No residue should remain. Tablets and capsules should be broken after confirming that instructions give that option.
Another useful disposal option is take back programs. These programs allow people to take expired and unused drugs to some central location. The location may be a department in a hospital or a law enforcement agency among others. One should confirm from relevant authorities if their area has such programs.
There are also several registered medicine collectors in various cities. These collectors collect unused and expired medications from the public. One must ensure that the collector is registered by the relevant authorities. Examples of such sites include law enforcement locations, clinic pharmacies, hospitals, and retail centers. Some of these collectors offer collection receptacles or mail-back programs.
One should not give out prescription medicines to other people who may need them. When one decides to dispose in the household trash, they must ensure that the label is unreadable or they should remove it completely. This is to protect medical information and also to make the drugs undesirable.
Leaving unused or expired medications in the home exposes them to potential misuse or abuse. Most medications do not produce any adverse effects if taken by individuals they were not initially prescribed for. However, that is not always true because there is a small group of medicines that can have very adverse effects. Besides that, children and elderly people in a household are more likely to consume the medications accidentally or intentionally, something that can cause serious effects or death in extreme situations.
Like stated above, not all methods are suitable for all kinds of medication. Instructions on how to get rid of medication that one does not need anymore can be found on the labels. The instructions must be followed carefully if mistakes are to be avoided. Most medications also come with patient information leaflets, which may contain disposal instructions.
One of the methods that can be used is throwing in the trash. One can dispose the drugs in their household trash where they will most probably end up in landfills or other places where garbage is usually taken. This option is safe for people who live alone and do not have small children or mentally unstable adults around. Children and adults of unsound mind may dig into the trash and consume the drugs without the knowledge of sound-minded adults.
It is totally safe to dispose less harmful medications down the sink. The sink could be located in the kitchen or bathroom although the bathroom one is more preferable. Medications come in various forms including liquids, tablets, powders, and capsules and when flashing, everything must completely go down the sink. No residue should remain. Tablets and capsules should be broken after confirming that instructions give that option.
Another useful disposal option is take back programs. These programs allow people to take expired and unused drugs to some central location. The location may be a department in a hospital or a law enforcement agency among others. One should confirm from relevant authorities if their area has such programs.
There are also several registered medicine collectors in various cities. These collectors collect unused and expired medications from the public. One must ensure that the collector is registered by the relevant authorities. Examples of such sites include law enforcement locations, clinic pharmacies, hospitals, and retail centers. Some of these collectors offer collection receptacles or mail-back programs.
One should not give out prescription medicines to other people who may need them. When one decides to dispose in the household trash, they must ensure that the label is unreadable or they should remove it completely. This is to protect medical information and also to make the drugs undesirable.
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