PROPER DISPOSAL of PRESCRIPTIONS DRUGS
Office of National Drug Control Policy • February 2007

Federal Guidelines

• The FDA advises that the following drugs be flushed down the toilet instead of thrown in the trash: Actiq (fentanyl citrate) Daytrana Transdermal Patch (methylphenidate) Duragesic Transdermal System (fentanyl) OxyContin Tablets (oxycodone) Avinza Capsules (morphine sulfate) Baraclude Tablets (entecavir) Reyataz Capsules (atazanavir sulfate) Tequin Tablets (gatifloxacin) Zerit for Oral Solution (stavudine) Meperidine HCl Tablets Percocet (Oxycodone and Acetaminophen) Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate) Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet) Note: Patients should always refer to printed materialaccompanying their medication for specific instructions.

  Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their originalcontainers and throw them in the trash.
  
  
  
• Mixing prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, such as used coffeegrounds or kitty litter, and putting them in impermeable, non-descript containers,such as empty cans or sealable ags, will further ensure the drugs are not diverted.
  
  
  
• Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs doing so (see box).
  
  
  
• Take advantage of community pharmaceutical take-back programsthat allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal. Some communities have pharmaceutical take-back programs or community solid-waste programs that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal. Where these exist, they are a good way to dispose of unused pharmaceuticals.

Office of National Drug Control Policy 750 17th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20503 p (202) 395-6618 f (202) 395-6730 www.WhiteHouseDrugPolicy.gov