Senior Health Connection newsletter Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital Canter Leftover Medications: How to Dispose of Them Safely Unused prescriptions and over- the-counter medication can be dangerous, especially to children and pets. Unused pain medication can even be a target for theft. This newsletter tells you how to get rid of your medications safely. Many people aren't aware that most medications should NOT be poured down the sink, flushed down the toilet, or thrown directly into the trash in their original packaging. • When medication is poured down the sink or flushed down the toilet small amounts of medication can enter the water system and remain in our drinking water even after the wastewater is treated • Children or pets can find the bottle of pills when they are thrown in the trash. They can also be found by thieves who go through trash cans to find pain medication or get your personal information from the bottles. There are two ways to dispose of you left over medications. Drop them off at a drug collection site—this is the best option. Check with your local police department to see if they have a drug collection program. Or check for a current list of collection sites at www.medicationdisposal.ut ah.gov If a drug collection program is not available in your area, February 2011 Follow these steps to dispose of the medications with your home trash. l.Pour medications from their bottles into a sealable bag. Remove or mark out any personal information on the bottles. Then throw the bottles away. 2. Crush the pills or capsules in the bag. You may add a little water to make it easier. 3.Mix in something unappetizing, such as coffee grinds, kitty litter, or dirt. This will help keep children or pets from eating the mixture. 4.Seal the plastic bag and put it in the trash. Medications that are expired should not be used and may be treated like other leftover medications. Follow the instructions and dispose properly. (Source 2010 Intermountain Healthcare. www.intermountainhealthcare.or g) 39