Disposal of Unused Drugs in the Community

Abstract

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers consumer information about safe practices for medication disposal on its Web site. The safest avenue for drug disposal is a local or national drug take-back program or a national Drug Enforcement Administration–authorized collection site. Consumers may also mix drugs with unpalatable substances, place in closed containers, and dispose of the mixture in their household trash. With drugs that carry a high risk of causing harm from accidental ingestion, the FDA recommends they be flushed down the toilet.