National Check Your Meds Day is a day dedicated to reviewing your medications for safety and accuracy.
If you peek inside your medicine cabinet, there is a good chance it contains a few expired or unnecessary prescription medications. It is probably a good idea to discard them, but what is the right way to do so?
Disposing of these medications, whether they are expired antibiotics or pain meds that are no longer needed, is very important because they can be harmful if taken by someone other than the person they were prescribed for.
While most medicines can be thrown in the household trash, many others have specific disposal instructions, such as immediately flushing them down the sink or toilet when they are no longer needed. Only flush prescription drugs that specifically note to do so, as there is evidence that certain medications can be harmful to the water supply.
If you are uncomfortable flushing or disposing of your meds, another option is participating in local drug “take-back” programs, where they can be turned in and properly disposed of.
If no disposal instructions are given on the prescription drug labeling and no take-back program is available in your area, throw the drugs in the household trash using these tips:
• Scratch out all identifying information on the prescription label to protect your identity and privacy.
• Do not give your medicine to friends. Doctors prescribe drugs based on your specific symptoms and medical history. Something that works for you could be dangerous for someone else.
When in doubt about proper disposal, ask your pharmacist. You can also check with your local government officials about drug take-back events in your community.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.