To prevent accidental or intentional ingestion of potentially dangerous medications by children, or pets, the FDA recommends properly disposing of all unused and expired medications quickly.

• Properly discard unused and/or expired medications
• Do not keep extra prescription medications at home, especially medications with high abuse potential such as opioid pain relievers, stimulants, or depressants.
• Scratch off all identifying information on the prescription label
• Take medications to a local drop box
  • To find a drop box near you, click here.
• Participate in take back events
• Most medications can be disposed of in household trash, to properly do so:
  • Remove medications from their original containers
  • Mix them with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds
    • This makes the drug less appealing to children and pets, and unrecognizable to people who may intentionally go through trash seeking drugs.
  • Place mixture in a sealable bag or empty can
    • Sealing the bag or placing mixture in a can helps to prevent the drug from leaking or breaking out of the trash bag.
  • Throw the container in the trash
• Flush prescription medications down the toilet only if the label or accompanying patient information instructs doing so.
  • To learn more about medications that are FDA approved to be flushed or thrown away visit, FDA.gov
• Ask your pharmacist of your options for properly disposing your medications.

Find a Drug Take Back Location Near You

Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines (FDA)