Drug Disposal

Drug Disposal Options

FDA Guidance

Unused and expired medicines in the home can pose a risk of accidental poisoning, misuse, or harm to family members and pets. The FDA’s Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know offers clear recommendations to safely get rid of these medications.

List of Medicines Recommended for Disposal by Flushing

If your healthcare provider, such as a doctor or pharmacist, gave you specific instructions for disposing of a medication, always follow those directions first.

For most unused or expired medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter, the safest and preferred option is a drug take-back program. You can:

• Drop off medicines at a local drug take-back location, or

• Mail them using a prepaid drug mail-back envelope.

If a take-back option is not available, check the FDA’s Flush List to see if your medication qualifies for flushing.

Medicines on the Flush List are considered especially dangerous because they:

• Are often misused or abused, and

• Can cause serious harm or death from a single dose if taken accidentally.

Accidental exposure, by children, adults, or pets, can occur through swallowing, touching, or misuse of these medications and may have life-threatening consequences.

Do not flush medications unless they are on the FDA Flush List.

Drug Disposal: Questions and Answers

This question and answer section, provided by the FDA, shares additional details on drug disposal options and why the FDA recommends flushing certain potentially dangerous medicines only when take back options are not readily available.