What is the Proper way to Dispose of Meds???

[dawn3063]

Hi,
Maybe Mrs. D can answer this question... What is the proper way to dispose of medications that will not be used anymore such as narcotics or old outdated meds?
There is a discussion on the Thoracic Outlet forum and there doesn't seem to be a clear answer to it.
Thank you for your help...
Dawn

[mrsD]

Here is an example of what you can do.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/painter/2007-04-22-old-medicine_N.htm

Fentanyl and nicotine patches that are used contain enough to poison a dog or child.
These should be taken care of as directed on their box.

I throw my expired drugs (no controlled substances)in the trash mixed with other stuff at this time.

Drugs that are new, not controlled, may be recycled thru a World Relief program. And some States have programs for this.

[anasazi23]

Is Mrs D a pharmacist? If so that would be the person to ask either way. I know there is a trend away from just flushing them as some meds like hormones and psych meds are showing up in our water supplies.

[Chemar]

Is Mrs D a pharmacist? .

Yes, mrsD is a pharmacist

[mrsD]

because my liability insurance doesn't like me on the net.

Surely people can figure it out for themselves, given the avatar and all.

I ALWAYS back up my help with REAL information... which
anasazi does not. Even when professionals post on the net, I believe they OWE the readers some provable facts. Otherwise people could POSE couldn't they?

So I always give good links...links that I check out and evaluate beforehand.
The net is a complex and difficult place. Just telling people that you are this or that is not enough, IMO.

[Curious]

i can't tell you enough how much we appreciate you and the resources you find mrsd.

thank you.

[dawn3063]

Thank you so much Mrs D for your information. I will post the link to this thread over on the TOS forum.
Thank you again for all your help...
Dawn :hug:

[johannakat]

Ditto what Dawn said

[anasazi23]

No need to attack me. I was saying it would be good to ask you if you are a pharnacist, or just ask your local pharmacist.

[Chemar]

Hi,
Maybe Mrs. D can answer this question... What is the proper way to dispose of medications that will not be used anymore such as narcotics or old outdated meds?
There is a discussion on the Thoracic Outlet forum and there doesn't seem to be a clear answer to it.
Thank you for your help...
Dawn


I think it would be a good idea for this thread to remain on topic as it is a valuable discussion on something that affects many here at NT who are on medications........
thanks
:)

Cheri

[mrsD]

Flushing controlled drugs Is still the best way to dispose. Unless you dissolve them in water and mix with cat litter, etc.

The pollution of fresh water is a concern. The first contaminations of waterways with drugs were found in Europe and Switzerland. It was the antibiotic Cipro and fibrates for cholesterol that I recall.

Here in Nevada they found estrogen in Lake Meade.

The technology does not exist yet to clean sewage to remove drugs.
More drugs are probably in the water supply system from human urine, not flushing excess directly.

Some drugs are not metabolized by the body at all or much at all.
Neurontin, Lyrica, Lisinopril are examples. Some drugs are excreted thru the bile, and end up in the stool. Some drugs have active metabolites, others not.

If you want to know in detail what is happening to drugs you are swallowing,
www.rxlist.com has a section called pharmacology for each drug you search.
If you scroll down, to "elimination" it will tell you.

I would think the estrogen load has gone down somewhat with the revelation of HRT being not totally safe anymore. But the birthcontrol use of hormones has not changed. Estrogen in our waterways is getting alot of attention, due to contaminants also --many chemicals have estrogenic actions. Scientists are using fish that can change to either sex as markers for this pollutant.

This whole topic has grown alot just within the last five years or so.

[Jo*mar]

Interesting about the hormones from birth control and such.

Wow, maybe another reason to consider some of the new IUDS, or if it applies for someone -a more permanent option :)