Medications Medication Disposalsection: 16.21

Medications – Medication Disposal SECTION: 16.21 Strength of Evidence Level: 3 __RN__LPN/LVN__HHA

PURPOSE: e. When discarding medications, DO NOT just To instruct patient/caregiver on the proper disposal of throw the product in the trash because it can IV, oral and topical medications (including narcotics) at create a risk of poisoning children and pets. the time of: f. Add a small amount of water to the solid drug or  Discontinuation of medications as prescribed by some absorbent material such as kitty litter, physician. sawdust or flour to liquid drugs before  Change in medications as prescribed by recapping. This helps prevent further use of the physician. medication. g. Place the container described above in a bag or  Discharge from program. any other water-tight container to prevent  Death. immediate identification of a drug or prevent a  Expired medications. glass container of a drug from breaking during disposal. CONSIDERATIONS: 2. Observe disposal of medications whenever 1. Medications are intended only for the patient for possible. whom they were prescribed. 2. Keep the pharmaceuticals in their original container AFTER CARE: since the labels may contain safety information, the 1. Document in patient’s record: container is chemically compatible and the caps are a. Time, date, place and type of patient/caregiver typically water-tight and child proof. instruction. 3. When in doubt concerning proper disposal of a b. Patient/caregiver response to instruction. medication, contact a pharmacist or state board of c. Observation of medication disposal, if pharmacy or regulatory agency. applicable. 4. When disposing of antineoplastic agents, (See Medications- Safe Handling of Antineoplastic Agents). 5. Narcotics should be disposed of according to state regulations. 6. When disposing of drugs within a nursing home or subcontracted agency, refer to the agency guidelines for disposal. 7. The issue of proper pharmaceutical drug disposal is an emerging issue in the environmental arena. All medications applied externally or ingested have the potential to be excreted or washed into sewage systems and from there discharged to the aquatic or terrestrial environments.

EQUIPMENT: None

PROCEDURE: 1. Instruct patient/family/caregiver to dispose of unused medications by: a. Strongly discouraging disposal of drugs down a drain or toilet due to concern that this will contaminate the water supply. b. Advise to place them in puncture-proof, leak- proof, closable container. c. Placing them in a chemotherapy container if available. d. Dispose of unwanted medication at a community household hazardous waste (HHW) collection program, if available, or if your community offers incineration of medications, use this service.