Disposing of meds properly protects others from harm

Teens might be tempted to sample your pills, write Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen.

Q My medicine chest is full of old prescriptions and unused over-the-counter medicines. I’ve heard warnings about keeping them around, but what’s the smart way to get rid of them?

A Great question! Keeping old prescription and over-the-counter meds around is risky because it gives curious children and drug-abusing teens and adults a chance to sample your meds. Two-thirds of people aged 12 and older who have abused prescription pain relievers within the past year say they got them from a friend or relative ... often unbeknownst to the “supplier.” And 24 per cent of teens say they have abused a prescription drug, most often pain medications, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medications and stimulants, like those for ADHD.

It’s also risky for you, if you use drugs long after their expiration date. There’s no guarantee that a med will be safe or effective after that date, since chemical compositions change over time.

Expired medications should always be disposed of safely. So what do you do? 1. Unless they’re on the Food and Drug Administration’s list of meds recommended for flushing (go to www.FDA.gov and search for “disposal by flushing”), don’t flush meds!

Some meds are potential watersupply pollutants, while others are too dangerous to dispose of in the trash (fentanyl patches, for example). Accidental exposure to meds (even those in “childproof” bottles) sends thousands of kids to the emergency room every year!

2. Ask your pharmacist about a take-back program. Or visit the Canadian public safety website (publicsafety.gc.ca) and search for “Prescription Drug Return Initiatives.”

3. No local disposal option? Remove meds (over-the-counter and prescription) from their original containers and mix them with unpleasant substances such as coffee grounds, Kitty Litter or dirt. Put the mixture in a sealed baggie and place it in the trash.

We hope that everyone will take these recommendations to heart to protect their children, their community, the environment and themselves.