Do you or someone you know have medications in their house they no longer use, need, or want but don’t know what to do with them?……Keep reading!!

Another Blog featuring a student pharmacist:

Author: Andreysi Ortiz Estevez, PharmD Candidate 2023

April 22, 2023, is the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

You might be asking what the purpose of drug take-back is, the purpose is to encourage the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a way of preventing medication misuse. You can make a difference by keeping track of the medications you are currently using, and discard those that no longer serve a purpose. It can get overwhelming not knowing what to do with those unwanted medications. But don’t worry, this post is to help ease that burden.

Be Proactive!

Having medications you no longer use or are expired laying around the house can increase the risk of taking the wrong medication or taking too much of the medication which can have significant consequences for your health. Properly disposing of medications protects both you and your environment.

When do I need to get rid of my medications?

You should get rid of your medicines when:

• Your health care provider changes your medication but you still have doses left
• You feel better and after consulting with your primary doctor they say is okay to stop taking
• You have over-the-counter (OTC) medication you no longer need, use, or want
• You have medicines that are past their expiration date

What should you do with unused medications?

DO NOT: Flush expired or unwanted prescriptions including OTC down the toilet or drain unless the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs otherwise.

DO: Return unwanted or expired prescriptions and OTC drugs to a drug take back program or follow the steps for household disposal below.

Locate a collection site near you: Follow the link below to find the nearest collection site

https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html

Some locations are not only available for the National Prescriptions Drug Take-back, but may be available regularly.