The Flush List

Happy Earth Day friends and thanks for stopping by.

Keeping unused or expired medications in the home not only clutters up a storage area but can present a danger if they get into the wrong hands.

Medications are the leading cause of child poisoning and that in itself is a good reason to get remove unnecessary containers out of the home.

Proper disposal of medication is also important. The best and most environmentally friendly way to dispose of them is through a drug take-back program. There are designated times offered by different community organizations and also permanent disposal sites at police stations, hospitals, and pharmacies.

Beaufort County South Carolina Sheriff’s Department

The Federal Drug Administration also offers a recommendation for proper home disposal:

“Mix the medicines (do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unpalatable substance such as dirt, kitty litter, or used coffee grounds. This prevents thievery or diversion of medicines from the trash. Then, place the mixture in a container such as a zip lock or sealable plastic bag, and throw the container away in your household trash.”

There is a small number of medicines that may be especially harmful and , in some cases, fatal with just one dose if they are used by someone other than the person for whom the medicine was prescribed. The Federal Drug Administration has a list of what unused medicines you should flush down the sink or toilet to help prevent danger to people and pets in the home.

Examples of medicines on the FDA flush list

For a complete list of medicines on the “flush list” visit:

https://www.fda.gov/media/85219/download

Here are some helpful telephone numbers that you may want to add to your telephone speed dial list to have at your fingertips in case of accidental use of medication.

Poison Control- 1-800-222-1222 available 24 hours per day

Animal poison control-1-888-426-4435 available 24 hours per day

To find a controlled substance public disposal location click here

Disposing medications properly is just one of the many ways we can all celebrate our love of the planet. Just the simplest of things can make a difference, even a trip to the grocery store.