Safe Disposal of Medications

Most people with epilepsy take medicine and of those, probably have tried more than one type of medication.  Often, they take two or more in combination.  Unfortunately, the rate of success for seizure reduction/freedom is slim after the first two drugs tried.

Therefore, we often have a lot of unused medication left over that is untouched.  It is important to get rid of it safely.

• Drug Take Back Program

The best way is to bring your old medications to a “take-back” program.  That way, they can handle everything for you.  Periodically, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency hosts National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events.  You can find out more at 800-882-9539. 

However, if that is not possible, follow these directions by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration):

• Household Trash Preparation

Dispose in household trash by mixing medicines—DO NOT CRUSH— with an unpalatable substance such as dirt, kitty litter, used coffee grounds.

Place mixture in a sealed plastic bag.

Put it in the household trash.

Scratch out all personal information on empty medication bottles/containers, then throw them away.

• Flushing

There are some medications that are recommended to be flushed down the toilet, as they are extremely harmful to those who might accidentally take them. 

Some of these include Diastat, Morphine, Oxycontin, and Abstral.  Here is the complete list.

Resources
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm101653.htm

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/EnsuringSafeUseofMedicine/SafeDisposalofMedicines/ucm186187.htm#Flush_List

http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/HomeHazWaste/Medications/household.htm