Guest Author - Jamie Robertson

You fill a prescription for pain killers but only need to take half the pills in the bottle. Your physician prescribes a drug for your strep throat, but you forget to take the last few doses. Sound familiar? You are not alone. Many Americans have medicine cabinets and drawers filled with expired and unused medications. Before you throw them out, follow a few simple steps to ensure that you protect others from your waste.

Read the Label

The easiest medications to deal with are the ones with instructions on the label. Some drugs specifically say that you should not flush the pills down the toilet; others inform you that this is an acceptable practice. Quickly scan the label for any information that might help you decide what to do.

Throw Out the Pills

The easiest and safest way to dispose of most pills is to throw them away with the garbage. Before you do so, make them unappealing for children who might think they are candy and animals that may come across them in the garbage outside your home or at the landfill. First, mix the pills with an item that is much less inviting. I recommend using either leftover coffee grounds or kitty litter. Place the pill mixture in a sealed ziplock bag. This will keep them from spilling out of your trashcan and onto the ground.

Find a Community Program

Some communities have started programs that will take your expired pills and dispose of them properly for you. To find out if your community has such a program, call the local waste management company. You can also check with organizations that deal with medical waste, like used needles and syringes.

What to Avoid

Do not throw your pills away in the bottle. When you do throw bottles away, scratch out all your identifying information first. Your name, address, phone number, and other health information are often on these bottles and someone could use them to gain access to other personal information.

Never give leftover pills to friends or relatives. Just because you are sure your husband has the same thing you had the week before does not mean that he should be on the same medication. It is best for each individual to see a doctor and get his or her own prescription.