Proper Storage and Disposal of Medication

• Keep medications in their original container. Never mix or combine different medications into one bottle.
• Don’t store medications in areas that are hot and humid, such as the bathroom medicine cabinet. 
• If a medication needs to be stored in the refrigerator, be careful not to store it in the freezer or expose it to a lot of moisture.

1. Keep the medication in its original container. Use a marker to cross out or duct tape to cover your personal information. You can also remove the label.
2. Make the medication unusable. Mix your drugs (liquid or pills) with something unappealing like soapy water, used coffee grounds, salt, or kitty litter.
3. Seal it. Put the mixture in a container, like an empty yogurt, so the contents cannot be seen. Tape it shut.
4. Throw out the sealed container in your regular trash. Do not put the container in your recycling bin.
 

Printable signs – You can print the materials below for posting at your pharmacy, office or home.

• Full color – 8.5”x11” Safe Storage and Disposal Sign  
  • Simple print - 8.5”x11” Safe Storage and Disposal Sign 
• Full color brochure

See our video about how to dispose of unneeded or unwanted medication in English, and in Spanish. 

• Find a drug drop box near you.

Local Prescription Drug Take Back Events

If you want to know more about prescription drug take back events held in your own community, contact your local police department or visit the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day webpage to find out if there is an event taking place near you.

Why Not Flush?

• Flushed medications can get into our lakes, rivers and streams. Research has shown that long-term exposure to low levels of medications has changed the behavior and physiology of fish and aquatic organisms.
• Medications enter our wastewater a number of ways, including the flushing of unused medications. A nationwide study done in 1999 and 2000 by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) found low levels of drugs such as antibiotics, hormones, contraceptives and steroids in 80% of the rivers and streams tested.

• Dr. Richard Kamin talks about Prescription Drug Abuse - 20 seconds (WMV)
• Parents - 60 seconds (MP3)
• Dr. Richard Kamin talks about Prescription Drug Abuse - 60 seconds (MP3)

Additional Resources

• What Parents Need to Know About Prescription Drugs (pdf, 278KB)
• How to Dispose of Prescription Medicines and Over-the-Counter Products (pdf, 64KB)
• Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• Medication Drop-Box Program - Local Disposal of Unused, Unwanted or Expired Meds
• Keeping Medications Secure
• • Mantenga los Medicamentos Seguro - Spanish
• Safe Storage and Disposal of Prescription Medication 

  For more information, please call (860) 713-6073 or e-mail us at DCP.prescriptions@ct.gov.