Here's how
- Keep medications in their original containers. Leave drug names visible to help identify the contents if they are accidentally swallowed. Cross out other personal information on labels to make it unreadable.
- Make the meds as difficult to consume as possible:
- For pills: add some water or soda to dissolve them
- For liquids: add inedible material like cat litter, coffee grounds or dirt
- Close the lids and secure with tape.
- Check prescription dropbox locations to see if there is a permanent waste medication collection site in your town or city. If not, hide medication containers in the trash. DO NOT put them in your recycle bin!
The information sheet that came with your medication may tell you to flush it down the drain. For instance, these drugs should be flushed away because they are dangerous to other people and pets:
- Actiq (fentanyl citrate)
- Daytrana Transdermal Patch (methylphenidate)
- Duragesic Transdermal System (fentanyl)
- OxyContin Tablets (oxycodone)
- Avinza Capsules (morphine sulfate)
- Baraclude Tablets (entecavir)
- Reyataz Capsules (atazanavir sulfate)
- Tequin Tablets (gatifloxacin)
- Zerit for Oral Solution (stavudine)
- Meperidine HCl Tablets
- Percocet (Oxycodone and Acetaminophen)
- Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate)
- Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet)