Many people are unsure of how to dispose of over-the-counter or prescription medicines when they’re out of date or leftover. Many towns and hospitals have “medicine take-back” programs, and that’s probably the best way for you to get rid of unwanted meds.
Certainly if you live in a senior community, your community director will have good information on safe disposal programs in your area.
If you don’t have a take back program in your area, most meds can be safely disposed of by crushing them, mixing them in with something unpalatable, like coffee grounds, garden dirt or kitty litter, and then sealing them in a plastic bag and putting them in the trash.
The FDA (Federal Drug Administration) actually recommends flushing certain drugs if you have no other safe disposal method. Some drugs are dangerous enough that they really need to be out of your house if you’re not using them. The drugs on the safe-flush list include demerol, dilaudid, methodone, morphine, oxycontin and percocet.
There has been research lately that says that flushed antidepressants wreck havoc in the ecosystem and have a serious impact on fish, who actually become “sad” and stop eating, swimming or looking for a mate.
When you get new meds, check out the instruction sheet for the best and safest method of getting rid of any extras when you’re finished your course of medication.