Copyright American Pain Foundation. Content created as part of an educational grant.

• Do not flush prescription drugs down the toilet or drain unless the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs you to do so
• Prescription drugs not labeled to be flushed may be able to be disposed of at community drug take-back programs. If a drug take-back or collection program is not available:
  1. Take your prescription drugs out of their original containers.
  2. Mix drugs with an undesirable substance (eg, cat litter or used coffee grounds).
  3. Put the mixture into a disposable container with a lid or a sealable bag.
  4. Conceal or remove any personal information, including Rx number, on the empty containers by covering it with black permanent marker or duct tape, or by scratching it off.
  5. Place the sealed container with the mixture, and the empty drug containers, in the trash.

Office of National Drug Control Policy. Proper disposal of prescription drugs. Available at: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/prescrip_disposal.pdf. Accessed January 19, 2011.