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What can I do with old Medications?

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Posted 5/14/2009 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
    My GI has changed my meds. from time to time and that leaves me with perfectly good medicine that I no longer take.  I hate it when I see people on here desperate for these exact same medications I have, and no longer use.  Is there anyone or anywhere that will take the medicines and get them to the people that need them?  I figure not because of safety reasons and I understand that too, but just thought I'd ask.

  Also, as far as expired medications, what are we supposed to do with them?  They say don't flush them because they build up in the water supply, and don't throw them away because animals or even children may get to them in the trash, so what do you do with expired pills?

Posted 5/14/2009 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
I tend to use expired medication. Sometimes it is less potent but depending on what it is, sometimes it is perfectly fine.

I see a lot of people here with old meds that they don't know what to do with. I don't think you can do anything useful with the unused portion unless you know someone who needs them. It could be a liability to give them to someone you don't know well, what if they say the drugs you gave them caused them some kind of sickness? It is definitely risky to give people medications but a very generous idea on your part. It's a shame to throw drugs out when you know someone out there is probably very sick and can't afford those same medications. At the same time, they are pills that have next to no real value except to those of us who need them. Kind of messed up. I am lucky I get drugs for free. I hate paying 100s of dollars for a capsule full of chemicals that cost nothing to produce.

Posted 5/14/2009 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know what to do with unused meds that aren't expired. If it's expired, maybe see if your pharmacy will take them back. I've never asked, but it would be nice if they'd take them!
Posted 5/14/2009 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
In California unused medication should be mixed with used cat litter and disposed in a landfill. Check with your local pharmacist for disposal recommendations in your state.

Sue
Posted 5/14/2009 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
In Canada you're suppose to take left over meds to your pharmacist so they can dispose of them properly to ensure they don't get into the water supply which is why you're never suppose to flush them cuz it will contaminate the water supply.

:)
Posted 5/14/2009 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I take my expired meds back to my pharmacy (London Drugs). I am in British Columbia and there is a website where you can look up a local pharmacy who will take your meds. You could do a google search "return expired medication" and then the name of your state or province. That's how I found the list of locations in BC.
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