Senior's Guide About What to Do With Old or Expired Medication
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Senior's Guide About What to Do With Old or Expired Medication

It’s important to understand the impact of old or expired medications. Improper disposal can potentially lead to safety risks or environmental damage. In this article, we'll look at what to do with old or expired medication in your community. We'll also provide helpful tips on how to dispose of them. Read on to learn how you can take the necessary steps to reduce your safety, health, and environmental risks associated with old or expired medication.

Why It's Important to Dispose of Old or Expired Medication

Safety risks

  • Accidental ingestion by children or pets: Old or expired medications can be dangerous if accidentally ingested by children or pets. It is crucial to properly dispose of these medications to prevent this from occurring.
  • Confusion for seniors taking multiple medications: If expired medications are not disposed of properly, it can confuse seniors taking multiple medications. An expired medication may look like an active medication, leading to the wrong medication being taken.

Environmental impact

  • Contamination of water supply: Discarding medications through flushing or throwing them in the trash can contaminate the water supply, which can cause various problems from affecting fish reproduction to contaminating drinking water.
  • Potential harm to wildlife: Old or expired medication can end up in wildlife due to improper disposal. This can cause serious health issues for wildlife, including death in severe circumstances.

Tips for the Disposal of Different Types of Medication

In Appleton, you can dispose of expired medication by bringing it to a local law enforcement agency that collects medication to ensure it is disposed of properly. This prevents theft or accidental poisoning of children or pets and protects the environment. You can also dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications at permanent drug drop boxes. Another option is to find a Walgreens location that offers safe medication disposal.

Solid medications (pills, capsules, tablets)

The FDA recommends these steps on what to do with old or expired medication such as pills, capsules, and tablets: 

  1. Remove the drugs from their original containers and mix them with something undesirable such as used coffee grounds, dirt, or cat litter. 
  2. Put the mixture in something you can close (a resealable zipper storage bag, empty can, or another container) to prevent the drug from leaking or spilling out. 
  3. Finally, throw the bag or container in the garbage.

Liquid Medications

Avoid pouring expired liquid medications down the drain. The best way to dispose of liquid drugs is to contact law enforcement officials in your area or a DEA-authorized collector. You can also dispose of expired or leftover medications at secure drop-off spots across the country. Another option is to participate in a drug take-back program sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) or your local community.

Senior Helpers Appleton Offers Guidance on Proper Medication Disposal

Expired medication can impact your safety, health, and the environment. By taking the necessary steps to dispose of them properly, you can reduce these risks. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources in the Appleton, Menasha, Neenah, Oshkosh, and surrounding Fox Cities areas to help you. We encourage you to make use of these resources on what to do with old or expired medication to help keep yourself, your loved ones, and the environment safe. If you need additional help or guidance with medication disposal, contact us at Senior Helpers Appleton. We are committed to providing you with the best care and support in the surrounding Fox Cities areas.