Resumen de Disposal of Unused Drugs in the Community

Diane S. Aschenbrenner

• * The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers consumer information about safe practices for medication disposal on its Web site.

  * The safest avenue for drug disposal is a local or national drug take-back program or a national Drug Enforcement Administration–authorized collection site.

  * Consumers may also mix drugs with unpalatable substances, place in closed containers, and dispose of the mixture in their household trash. With drugs that carry a high risk of causing harm from accidental ingestion, the FDA recommends they be flushed down the toilet.