Look through the drawers and cupboards of most households in the United States it’s likely you’ll find a blister pack or pill bottle with out-of-date or expired medication tucked away somewhere. So what should you do with these medicines? Are they safe to use, and if not, how should you dispose of them safely?

More than four billion prescriptions were filled in the US last year, so it’s not surprising that many of us have medicine cabinets full of out-of-date products. Getting rid of expired medication is an key part of medication management, but it is important to do it properly and safely. Taking out-of-date drugs could be dangerous and, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the expiration date is a “critical part” of deciding whether a product is safe and will have the desired effect.

Disposing of medication properly also reduces the chance that unwanted prescription medication falls into the wrong hands and either be misused or accidentally taken.

Always check the label

No matter what medication you take, always read the label and take note of the expiration date. Certain medications will carry greater risks, for example they may grow bacteria or lose their potency, when left beyond the date on the label. Packaging may also include information on proper storage and disposal recommendations.

How to find a drug take back location or authorized collector

Take back programs and official drug take back collection sites are the best way to safely dispose of expired and unwanted medication. The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regularly co-ordinates National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which this spring is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Last year, more than 4,600 temporary sites were set up across the country and over 314 tons of unwanted and out-of-date medication was collected.

Events such as these are a great opportunity to do a bit spring cleaning and rid your medicine cabinet of unwanted, expired or unused medicine.

• Find an official National Take Back Initiative Collection Site in your zip code

Local law enforcement agencies and local waste management authorities may also sponsor take back programs throughout the year, and some pharmacies, hospitals and clinics have facilities to properly dispose of unwanted medication.

• Find a permanent DEA Controlled Substance Public Disposal Site in your zip code or use the National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation’s Medication Disposal Locator DisposeMyMeds.org

If you miss this year’s National Take Back Day or don’t have access to a permanent collection site, there are ways to dispose of medication safely at home…

How to safely dispose of medication in the household trash

Ideally, all unused medication should be brought to a drug take back site, but if this is not an option, most can simply be thrown in the household trash. Check the label on your medication before throwing unwanted medicine in the trash as some will have other specific disposal instructions, for example flushing. Once you have established that your medicine is safe to put in the trash, follow these FDA guidelines for safe disposal:

• MIX medication with something unpalatable, such as coffee grounds or dirt. Ensure you do not crush tablets or capsules.
• PLACE mixture in a container, such as a sealed plastic bag.
• THROW the container in the trash.
• SCRATCH OUT any personal information on the label of the empty pill bottle or packaging, then dispose of the container.

Some pharmacies offer a free powder product that can be mixed with warm water and any old prescription pills to form a solid that is safe to throw in the trash.

How to safely flush medication down the sink or toilet

When using a collection site is not an option, the FDA suggests flushing certain dangerous medications down the sink or toilet, rather than using the household trash. This is particularly important when pets or small children are around, as it prevents accidental ingestion of the medicines.

As a general guide, medications that often appear on the FDA’s “Flush List” are with potential for abuse or misuse, and those that could cause death from one dose if taken inappropriately. If you are unsure which drugs should be flushed, first check the label and/or the FDA list of medication recommended for flushing.

Remember: If your medication does not appear on the flush list, you should dispose of it in the household trash rather than flush it down the sink or toilet.

How to safely dispose of needles and sharps

Sharps, including auto-injector products, such as EpiPens, should never be thrown loosely into the trash, recycling, or down the toilet. Always use an FDA-approved container (when possible), but if you don’t have one, ensure that your sharps disposal container:

• is made of heavy-duty plastic (such as a laundry detergent bottle)
• has a secure, tight-fitting and puncture-resistant lid
• is upright and stable when in use
• does not leak
• is labeled to warn it contains hazardous waste.

Sharp disposal guidelines vary depending on the area. You can use SafeNeedleDisposal.org to check the guidelines in your state and to find a local sharps disposal point. Alternatively, ask your local health department, doctor, or pharmacist for information about how to correctly dispose of your sharps.

Speak to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are unsure about how to correctly dispose of your medicine, or if you need more information about your specific medication.