How to safely remove unneeded medications from your home

Patients frequently ask our practitioners about the safest way to get rid of unwanted prescription drugs, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, so we curated a list of disposal tips from the FDA, DEA, and other sources.

Disposal Kiosks

Taking your unwanted prescription drugs to a pharmacy with a self-serve disposal kiosk should be your first option, if it is convenient for you. Generally speaking, pharmacies accept pills and liquids but not needles and sharps, but each will have their own policy, so it may be a good idea to call ahead. Take your medications in the original container (with your personal information marked out) or a sealed bag. Here are the pharmacies we know about in this area that have a disposal kiosk:

 

CVS Pharmacy

• 510 Blackwell Rd., Warrenton VA 20186 (540) 347-1621

• 14380 McGraws Corner Dr., Gainesville VA 20155 (703) 753-3051

• 15250 Washington St., Haymarket VA 20169 (703) 753-1032

• 10250 Bristow Center Dr., Bristow VA 20136 (703) 369-1739

• 150 Madison Rd., Culpeper VA 22701 (540) 825-8322

Remington Drug

• 207 E. Main St., Remington VA 22734 (540) 439-3247

Safeway Pharmacy

• 189 W. Lee Hwy., Warrenton VA 20186 (540) 428-2800

• 12821 Braemar Village Plaza, Bristow VA 20136 (703) 257-0436

• 309 Southgate Shopping Center, Culpeper VA 22701 (540) 825-5335

Walgreens

• 276 W. Lee Hwy., Warrenton VA 20186 (540) 347-5917

Flush ’em

When a disposal kiosk is not available, the FDA recommends flushing specific drugs — primarily opioids — as soon as they are no longer needed. To determine if a drug is flushable, refer to the product labeling, check the FDA’s Flush List, or follow your physician’s advice. Keeping these medications out of the hands of other people who might abuse them outweighs any potential environmental hazard they might create, according to the FDA. 

Trash ’em

Medicines not on the flush list can be thrown in the trash. The FDA recommends using a resealable container or zip-top bag to mix the pills, liquids, drops, patches, or creams with an undesirable substance such as kitty litter, sawdust, dirt, or used coffee grounds before tossing them. Remember to scratch out or black out any personal information on the drug label before throwing in the trash.

Sharps

Sharps should be safely disposed of using a sharps disposal container or a strong plastic container filled no more than ¾ full. Very small sharps or those that retract after use should be treated like all other sharps. For more information, read the FDA’s Dos and Don’ts of Proper Sharps Disposal.

If you received specific disposal instructions from your healthcare provider, you should follow those instructions.