Check your medicine cabinet or closet for expired drugs.
Before throwing out any prescription bottles or boxes, be sure and scratch out all identifying information including the prescription renewal number.
Some drugs give specific instructions on disposal including flushing down the toilet. Especially narcotic drugs should be flushed to prevent harming others. Some people are concerned about flushing because of reports of trace drugs found in water systems. However, the main way medications enter the water system is by first passing through a human. Most drugs are not completely absorbed or metabolized and enter the environment through human waste.
Some drugs will describe exactly how to dispose of them. You can take the drugs out of the original containers and mix them with water and coffee grounds or water and bleach before throwing away.
If you have any concerns, contact the FDA.
Annandale Women and Family Center – Obgyn Alexandria VA
2839 Duke Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314
(703) 667-4064