Safe Medication Disposal
When your medications are no longer needed, they should be disposed of promptly. Remove expired, unwanted, or unused medications from your home as quickly as possible to help reduce the chance that others accidentally take or intentionally misuse them.
Medication Disposal Pouches
Deterra® Medication Disposal Pouches can be used to safely deactivate and dispose of medications at home or in a clinical setting. The contents of the pouch begin to deactivate the medication with the addition of warm water. Individual residents and non-profit organizations in the state of Connecticut can order pouches directly from DrugFreeCT at no cost through the Change the Script campaign. For additional information on Deterra Medication Disposal Pouches, please visit their FAQ page here.
Order Free Medication Disposal Pouches
RX Destroyer® is a completely ready-to-use to medication deactivation system that starts dissolving medications as soon as they are placed in the container. You do not need to add water to the solution in order to dispose of the medication. RX Destroyer® containers can be used to dispose of medications multiple times until the container is filled 2 inches from the top. Be sure to store the container in a safe, secure location when not in use. For additional information on RX Destroyer and what medications it can be used on, please visit their How to Use page here.
RX Destroyer is available to CT residents through the Change the Script van. View our Events Calendar to see when we'll be in your community!
Medication Drop Boxes
These boxes are secured in the lobby of the police department, and are accessible anytime the department is open. No questions asked! Just drop the unwanted medications in and they will be safely and securely destroyed. This interactive map of Connecticut will help you find the closest medication drop box.
What can and can’t be discarded in a local medication drop box?
Yes:
- Over the counter medications
- Prescription medications
- Medication samples
- Medications for household pets
- Medicated lotions or ointments
No:
- Needles or other “sharps”
- Hazardous waste
- Thermometers
- Personal care products (shampoo, etc.)
Medication Take-Back Days
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days are days when temporary collections sites are set up in communities for safe disposal of prescription drugs in an effort to prevent misuse.
Local law enforcement agencies may also sponsor medication take-back events in your community. These events are usually in either April or October, but make sure to check in with your local community for specific details.
Don’t forget to lock up your medications while waiting for the next take back event. If you’d rather not wait, simply take your leftover prescriptions to a local lock box as outlined above.
Other Options for Disposing of Medication at Home
Household disposal of medications is an option if there are no take back days or drop boxes available to you. Follow any specific disposal instructions that come with your prescription medication packaging.
If no instructions are provided, follow these steps to safely dispose of your medications at home:
- Protect personal information. Be sure to remove any labels or use a permanent marker to cross out any personal details.
- Make the leftover medication less appealing. Mixing medications with hot water will dissolve them. Adding an undesirable substance like salt, ashes, sawdust, used coffee grounds or kitty litter is another option.
- Contain and seal. Place the mixture in an opaque container and tape it shut.
- After completing steps 1-3, throw the container into the trash. Do not throw it in your recycling bin.
Why can’t medications be flushed down the toilet?
Flushed medications make their way into our lakes, rivers and streams. Research has shown continuous exposure to low levels of medications has altered the behavior and physiology of fish and other aquatic organisms. The FDA is working with other agencies to better understand the human health and ecological risks of flushing medications into our waters.
Source: Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection; U.S. Food and Drug Administration