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Grasswire2

(13,702 posts)
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 10:55 PM Feb 2022

So what are we to do with old meds and supplements these days?

I'm cleaning out the bathroom cupboards and finding all kinds of things that are expired or no longer prescribed or just unused.

I know we aren't supposed to flush.

But what?

Thanks in advance for advice.

15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Paper Roses

(7,504 posts)
15. Same here. The police station has a drop-off box for all old meds. Put them in a baggie,
Sun Feb 6, 2022, 03:02 PM
Feb 2022

Do lot leave them in the RX bottle. (No ID) I took a load of my late husbands meds and RX's I had for me that I didn't even remember. Sometimes the back of the kitchen cabinet is not the place to put this out of date/use stuff.

mucifer

(24,796 posts)
3. If there is no local fire house or police department that will take it you could put the pills in an
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 11:00 PM
Feb 2022

empty water bottle with kitty litter and add some water. Then put the cap on the water bottle and toss it.

That is what some hospices do.

Tetrachloride

(8,444 posts)
5. Proper disposal will keep the chemicals out of the air and water.
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 11:04 PM
Feb 2022

If police or fire departments are not collecting, ask your library. edit: adding Walgreens

LoisB

(8,597 posts)
6. Look up drug disposal: drug takeback locations in your city or zip code. It will tell you which
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 11:06 PM
Feb 2022

drugs can be flushed and which should be taken back. Kaiser, Walgreen's, some Kroger's I saw in my zip code. Some doctors' offices also have drug bins and used syringe bins.

badhair77

(4,592 posts)
8. Our local free clinic will take most medications that are not expired.
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 11:11 PM
Feb 2022

They also accept used prescription containers because they have a machine that will remove the label and sanitize them.

vanlassie

(5,899 posts)
9. My Kaiser gives out pre addressed plastic mailers.
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 11:13 PM
Feb 2022

You can put up to 8 oz in one. When my dad and my uncle both died at 90 and 94 (on the same day) I eventually filled six of them. Dropped them at the post office.

Grasswire2

(13,702 posts)
11. thanks for all the suggestions
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 11:23 PM
Feb 2022

I saw a locked drop box at Rite Aid, but I thought maybe it was for narcotics or something potentially dangerous. I'll ask around.

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