Here’s how to get rid of unused prescription drugs

Patients ask our practitioners frequently about the proper way to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs. The most convenient — and safe — way to get rid of them is the bi-annual Drug Take-Back Day. The first take-back event for 2021 just happens to be scheduled for this Saturday, Apr. 24, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement offices, this program allows residents to relinquish prescription drugs, including those considered controlled substances, with no questions asked (they actually suggest removing any personally-identifiable information from the drug labels). Tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs are accepted. Liquids, syringes, needles, and illegal drugs (schedule I) are not accepted.

Here is a list of Drug Take-Back Day drop-off locations in our service area, which mainly includes Culpeper, Fauquier, and western Prince William Counties (click to view map locations):

• Novant Health UVA Culpeper Medical Center

• Virginia State Police Div. 2 Office

• Fauquier County Sheriff’s Department Office

• Remington Drug Store

• Novant Health UVA Haymarket Medical Center

Insider tip: Chick-fil-A Warrenton will be handing out a limited number of gift cards at the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Department during this Saturday’s take-back event.

If you are unable to take advantage of this program, there are some area drop-off locations that accept unused prescription drugs year-round. The types of medications they accept may be limited, so you may want to call them first before you go.

• Walgreen Pharmacy, Warrenton

• Remington Drug, Remington

• CVS Pharmacy, Warrenton

• CVS Pharmacy, Culpeper

• CVS Pharmacy, Haymarket

• CVS Pharmacy, Gainesville

• CVS Pharmacy, Bristow

• Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Haymarket

If you live outside of our service area, you can search for other year-round pharmaceutical disposal locations closer to your home.

Home Disposal Methods

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration provides guidance on home disposal methods when drug take-back programs or drop-off locations are not an option.

You can simply flush drugs down the toilet if they are included on the FDA Flush List. Some medications, such as fentanyl patches, may actually come with specific instructions to be flushed immediately when no longer needed.

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.

For the packaging, 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 3/4 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.