The easy thing to do would be to store unused or expired drugs in the back of your cabinet and then let future you deal with them then. However, if you have small children or pets in your home, you can’t risk letting them discover haphazardly hidden pills and potentially getting seriously ill.

Quick and responsible disposal is essential to avoid this risk. The experienced pharmacists at St. Hope Healthcare are here to answer any questions you may have about disposal to ensure you’re able to safely and confidently manage your medications.

What Are Drug Take-Back Programs?

Drug take-back programs are community collection sites designed to collect unused and expired medications and dispose of them safely. These are normally found at pharmacies and local law enforcement agencies. All medication taken will be safely destroyed. While some individuals may consider donating their unused prescriptions, the FDA does not recommend this.

Houston-area patients can drop off their unused medication at any of our six pharmacies in Bellaire, Conroe, Houston, Sugar Land and Dickinson.

What’s On the FDA Flush List?

Some medications can be flushed down the toilet, although not all. The FDA has designated certain medications as safe to flush due to the severe risk they pose to children or pets who might accidentally ingest them, as well as the danger they pose to the environment if they go through regular trash disposal. In the past, some critics have been concerned that these drugs may impact the water supply, but studies have demonstrated these fears are unfounded, showing that the risk with approved drugs is negligible. The risk for negative consequences is higher with irresponsible trash disposal and composting.

The FDA's flush list includes but is not limited to fentanyl patches, hydrocodone combination products, oxycodone, Vicodin, morphine and other drugs that contain opioids. You can see the complete list on the FDA’s website. The pharmacists at St. Hope Healthcare will also let you know while filling your prescription whether your specific medication can be flushed or not.

What Should I Do If My Expired Drug Isn’t on the Flush List, and There Isn’t a Drug Take-Back Program Near Me?

if your medication isn’t on the FDA’s flush list, do NOT flush it! Our pharmacists will help you find the safest disposal method for your medications.

If your medication is not on the flush list and no take-back programs are available, put the drugs in a plastic bag and mix with an unappealing substance like coffee grounds or kitty litter to deter kids and animals from trying it. Ensure your personal information is removed from the prescription label, seal the bag and throw it in the trash.

How to Store Prescription Drugs Safely Away From Kids

Even if your drugs aren’t expired and you're still actively taking them, there is still a risk that your children can find them if you don’t store them safely. You can teach children that medications are not candy and should never be taken, but any parent is painfully aware of how hard it is to get your child to listen and follow instructions.

Be sure to store your medication in high, hard-to-reach places, ideally a locked cabinet, that your child wouldn’t be able to see easily. Securing your medications with child-proof caps is another invaluable tool that will make it difficult for a child to take your medication. If you have arthritis or another condition that makes it difficult to open a child-proof cap, St. Hope Healthcare offers alternative packaging solutions and will help you find the best solution for your needs that balances safety and accessibility.

Our Pharmacists Are Available to Address Any Concerns Houston Patients May Have About Medication Safety and Disposal

At St. Hope Healthcare, we put our patients first. Our pharmacists are committed to helping you manage your medications effectively and safely. We also offer flexible drug cost assistance programs designed to make your medications more affordable.

Patients and non-patients of St. Hope can contact one of our full-service pharmacies all across the Houston metro area to learn more and talk about transferring your prescription today.