Authors

  1. Aschenbrenner, Diane S. MA, RN

Abstract

* The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers consumer information about safe practices for medication disposal on its Web site.

 

* The safest avenue for drug disposal is a local or national drug take-back program or a national Drug Enforcement Administration-authorized collection site.

 

* Consumers may also mix drugs with unpalatable substances, place in closed containers, and dispose of the mixture in their household trash. With drugs that carry a high risk of causing harm from accidental ingestion, the FDA recommends they be flushed down the toilet.