Getting rid of old prescriptions

[Guest guest]

As someone who has done environmental work, I have to say that the

best solution (which unfortunately isn't widely available) is to get

the prescriptions disposed of as what they are - hazardous waste.

See this site for example:

http://arthritis.about.com/od/arthritismedications/ht/disposemeds.htm

An idea is to ask a local household waste recycling program if they

take unused prescriptions. If they don't, perhaps they would

consider adding them to their list of items taken.

The second best solution, albeit far less appropriate, is to throw

them out in the trash, in the original bottle as said. But

note the following:

" Controlled substances should be returned to the prescribing

physician or pharmacist. Federal law regarding controlled substances

such as narcotics states, " no person shall be in control of (i.e.,

possess) a controlled substance (i.e., drug) unless they are properly

registered by the Federal Government (e.g., pharmacists, physicians)

or are the recipient of a prescribed drug (i.e., a patient). " "

so don't go throwing your morphine in the trash LOL. Also, a GREAT

tip is to put water in solid medications, to avoid children or pets

finding them in the trash and thinking them candy. And if in doubt

(or if you have chemo meds or anything extra special toxic), call the

pharmacist or health care provider. Just my $0.02, the important

part is not to flush them or throw them down the sink...

Take care,

RH

> Keeping it in the bottle it was dispensed in is considered the

> safest way to dispose of medications. I read at one time that there

> was so much valium in ground water as to almost be at a theriputic

> dispensing level. That was back when we WERE told to flush unused

> meds.

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