Unused medicines should be disposed of as soon as possible. Local take back sites are the preferred way to dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medicines. You can search for local take back sites. When a take back option is not close by, there are two ways to dispose of medicines at home, depending on the drug.

If you don’t have a drug take back site near you, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends flushing certain medications rather than throwing them in household trash. Check the FDA’s flush list to see if your medicine is on the list. Medicines on the flush list are those (1) wanted for their misuse and / or possible abuse and (2) that can result in death from one dose if not taken the right way. Drugs on the FDA's flush list can be safely flushed down the toilet. Do not flush medications unless they are on the FDA's flush list.

If your medicine is not on the flush list, you should follow these steps to get rid of the medicine in your trash at home:

1. Mix medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with a substance such as dirt, cat litter or used coffee grounds.
2. Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag.
3. Throw away the container in your trash at home.
4. Remove or scratch out all personal details on the label of empty medicine bottles or packaging, then throw away in your home trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging.

For more information go to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Take Back Day website.

If you have a question about how to dispose of your medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or contact Customer Service at the phone number listed on the back of your member ID card.