COUNCIL ON AGING - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA No Disposal Instructions? Here's A Generic Disposal Regimen MIX MEDICINES 1. Moisten the capsules or pills with water in their original containers and mix them with an undesirable substance such as dirt, kitty litter or used coffee grounds. This is to make the drugs less appealing to children, pets and unrecognizable to people who may intentionally go through the trash seeking drugs. 2. SEAL Place the mixture in a container such as a plastic bag or an empty coffee can. which of the disposal methods you choose, scratch out the prescription number and all personal information on the prescription label of your pill bottle to make it unreadable. This will help protect your identity and the privacy of your personal health information. IMPORTANT: All medicines can be very harmful if used by someone other than the patient for whom it was prescribed. Some medicines can be so dangerous that they come with instructions on how to properly dispose of them when they remain unused or when they expire. Some of these medicines' HEALTHCARE If no disposal instructions are given on the prescription drug labeling and no takeback program is available in your area, perform the following steps: THROW AWAY 3. Seal the container and throw the container in your household trash. method of disposal includes flushing them down a sink or toilet when they are no longer needed. You may see a list of these medicines at the following website: www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/Consumerupdates/ ucm101653.htm NOTE: This article is limited to the disposal of unwanted, unneeded or expired oral medications and does not apply to the disposal of medical sharps such as syringe and needles as well as aerosols such as oral or nasal inhalers. For additional information visit www.fda.gov. Council On Aging - Southern California | 714-479-0107 | www.coasc.org Answers Guide 2017 35http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/Consumerupdates/ucm101653.htm http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/Consumerupdates/ucm101653.htm http://www.fda.gov http://www.coasc.org