FDA Recommends Some Medicines Get Flushed

In the U.S., more than 80 percent of adults take at least one medication per week, ranging from supplements and vitamins to prescription drugs. This amounts to billions in spending on drugs and millions of pounds of unused medication that need to be disposed annually.

There are several options for how to dispose of medications, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is attempting to rewrite the idea that drugs do not belong down the drain.

In most cases, your medication’s label will denote if it can be safely flushed. If not, check the FDA’s Web site for a list of flushable medications and substances that can contaminate waterways. Photo: Amanda Wills, Earth911.com

On a new consumer Web site, the FDA lists 26 medicines that should be flushed, because the risk of harm from unwanted ingestion by children or pets is greater than the risk that traces of these drugs will end up in our drinking water.

Several of the drugs listed are pain relievers, including the commonly known Demorol, morphine and Percocet. While these drugs have disposal instructions listed on the label, this information is targeted toward health care professionals instead of patients.

The FDA’s message for consumers is that immediate and permanent disposal is the best option for these pharmaceuticals.

For drugs not on the list, the FDA recommends the federal guidelines for disposal, which includes mixing the drugs with an undesirable substance such as cat litter or coffee grounds. This makes the pills less appealing to someone who may find them mixed with other garbage.

The FDA is also looking to improve drug disposal options such as take-back programs. These are generally handled on a state or local community level. However, some pharmacies do accept expired drugs for proper disposal.