How to safely dispose of unused medication

Don't leave unused opioids in your medicine cabinet "just in case." A large part of the opioid abuse crisis is driven not by the people who were originally prescribed the drugs, but by people taking medications that don't belong to them. If you're done with your painkillers, it's very important to dispose of them as quickly and properly as possible.

Don't give your unused medications to your friends and don't throw them away. While some types of prescription drugs can be disposed of in your household trash, the FDA says that opioids are too dangerous to go out with your garbage because even one dose to the wrong person can sometimes be fatal.

To pass your medications into safe hands, contact an organization with an authorized take-back program, such as:

• Your local law enforcement agency. Many have medicine takeback programs.
• Your trash and recycling service. Ask about medication disposal options and guidelines for your area.
• The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). DEA staff can point you to an authorized site that collects unused medicines. This may include retail, hospital or clinic pharmacies, law enforcement locations, or even mail-back programs.

Flushing your unused opioid medication is also recommended in some cases. According to the the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), flushing should be considered when a medication cannot be safely and securely stored until disposal via a take-back program, or when there are risks in waiting to do so. The FDA's "flush list" includes oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl and many other opioids.

Fentanyl patches can be deadly to small children and should be flushed as soon as you take them off your skin. Fold the sticky sides together before flushing.

If your medication isn't on the FDA's flush list and there's no takeback program in your area, consult your pharmacist for guidance.