By Kenny Kline
Medicines are helpful in treating a variety of ailments and diseases, but they must be used with caution. To avoid accidental ingestion, unused portions of these drugs must be properly disposed of.
Consumers may use a number of services to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications and even minimize the cause of the drug disposal to reduce prescription costs. Next, there are recycling services. These activities are held around the country and help you quickly and safely dispose of medicines.
Locating an authorized collection site is another good option for safe disposal. Retail pharmacies, hospital or clinic pharmacies, and law enforcement locations are all examples of authorized collection sites. In addition, mail-back systems or collection receptacles, also known as drop-boxes, may be available at specifically designated collection locations.
If none of these alternatives are present, the drugs should be removed from their original containers and mixed with coffee grounds, cat litter or any other unpleasant material before being sealed in plastic containers or bags. Also, make sure to delete all personal identifying details from prescription drug bottles before discarding them.
How to Dispose of Medicine Correctly
Follow any disposal directions found on the prescription drug labels or the patient details that came with the product. If this information clearly instructs you to do so, do not flush medicines down the sink or toilet.
If there are no disposal instructions on the medication labeling or in the patient information, check if the local police department has a drug-collection program. You can also refer to prescription discount-dedicated sites and apps, which not only offer money-saving coupons for medications but also provide information on how to properly store and dispose of medicine. For instance, BuzzRx has an awesome app you can easily download that provides such a service, and they provide a free drug discount card that lets you save up to 80% on your medication.
How to Dispose of Medicine Safely
?Dropping off most forms of unwanted or expired drugs (both prescription and over-the-counter) at a pharmacy take-back site, venue or service as soon as possible is the safest way to dispose of them. Flush your medication down the toilet as soon as possible, if instructed to do so by the label. Remove all personal information from the bottle and recycle or discard it.
How Can Consumers Secure and Store Prescriptions at Home?
It’s also necessary to keep medications out of children’s and pets’ reach and sight. Always remember to put medications away after each use. For example, don’t leave them on the kitchen counter or anywhere else where children can easily access them. Also, basic precautions such as locking the safety cap will help avoid accidents.
It’s essential that you plan and monitor your medications. After all, you want to know where a specific drug is stored in case you or anyone else needs it. Always keep your medications out of reach of a curious toddler, a cherished pet, a meddling adolescent or even a visiting houseguest.
Finally, proper drug disposal will eliminate the harmful and toxic effects on our environment that can arise if drugs are not properly disposed of.
About Kenny Kline
Kenny Kline is a fitness and health writer with an eye for all things lifestyle. Kenny has always been in love with the idea of living life to the fullest, which you can see in his writing.
He spends his days reading up on the latest research about health, exercise, and nutrition—and when he’s not doing that, he’s cooking something delicious or trying out new recipes. He’s also loves spending time outdoors—hiking, biking, skiing…you name it!
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