Do you know someone who needs help organizing their medicine?
Sharing these guidelines with a friend or loved one may help keep them safe.
Time for a medicine cabinet checkup
- Be sure to look through your medicine supply at least once a year.
- Always store medicines in a cool, dry place, or as stated on the label.
- Throw away any medicines that are past the expiration date.
- To make sure no one takes the wrong medicine, keep all medicines in their original containers.
Source: www.fda.gov/Drugs/EmergencyPreparedness/BioterrorismandDrugPreparedness/ucm133301.htm#cab 
Accessed 8/27/09
How to dispose of medications properly
- DO NOT FLUSH unused medications and DO NOT POUR them down a sink or drain.
- Be proactive and dispose of unused medication in household trash. When discarding unused medications, ensure you protect children and pets from potentially negative effects:
- Pour medication into a sealable plastic bag. If medication is a solid (pill, liquid capsule, etc.), crush it or add water to dissolve it.
- Add kitty litter, sawdust, coffee grounds (or any material that mixes with the medication and makes it less appealing for pets and children to eat) to the plastic bag.
- Seal the plastic bag and put it in the trash.
- Remove and destroy ALL identifying personal information (prescription label) from all medication containers before recycling them or throwing them away.
- Check for approved state and local collection programs. Another option is to check for approved state and local collection alternatives such as community based household hazardous waste collection programs. In certain states, you may be able to take your unused medications to your community pharmacy or other location for disposal.
- Consult your pharmacist with any questions.
Source: http://www.smarxtdisposal.net/
SMARxT DISPOSAL™ public awareness campaign is a unique public-private partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the American Pharmacists Association, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.
Accessed 9/15/09
