Safe Medication Disposal

South Dakota Resource Hotline 1-800-920-4343

Prescription drugs are only safe when used correctly by the person they were prescribed to. Taking medication that is not prescribed to you is very dangerous. Taking medication that didn’t come from a pharmacy can be deadly. If it’s not prescribed to you, and you don’t know the source—IT’S NOT SAFE.

Unused or expired prescription drugs can be dangerous, especially for children, teens, and even pets. Misused medication can lead to accidental overdose or addiction. Here are some ways to safely dispose of medication:

The DEA hosts National Prescription Drug Take Back Day twice per year, in April and October.

The next DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 27, 2024.

How to Safely Dispose Medication

Letting your unused or expired medication lay around the house can be dangerous. When you’re done using a medication, dispose it safely using one of the methods below.

1. Drop Off at a Take-Back Location

Many take back locations like pharmacies and police stations accept unused or expired medications year-round. If you can’t find a take back location near you, request a FREE DisposeRx packet.

Find take back locations in your area:

Alexandria
Armour
Douglas County Memorial Hospital
Burke
Deadwood
Monument Health Lead-Deadwood Hospital
Eagle Butte
Cheyenne River Health Center/Eagle Butte Hospital
Ellsworth Air Force Base
Ellsworth Air Force Base USAF-28 Medical Group/SGAL
Flandreau
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal Health Clinic Pharmacy
Hot Springs
Sioux Falls
Sanford Hematology Oncology Clinic Pharmacy
Sisseton
Woodrow Wilson Keeble Memorial Health Care Center
Spearfish
Monument Health Spearfish Hospital
Sturgis
Monument Health Sturgis Hospital
Woonsocket
2. DisposeRx Packets

DisposeRx packets contain an FDA-approved ingredient that chemically and physically neutralizes the drugs when mixed with water. It can be used with pills, tablets, capsules, liquids and powders and thrown away safely at home. Order a FREE DisposeRx packet that is mailed directly to you.

Dispose meds safely from home!
3. Ask Your Pharmacy About Their Safe Disposal Program

Many pharmacies have medication disposal kiosks on-site or a program for the safe disposal of unused or expired prescription medication.

4. Flush (or Not)

If you cannot dispose of your unused or expired medication using DisposeRx, there are medications that are safe to flush in your toilet—and some that are not. If you do not see your medication listed in the chart below or on the FDA’s Flush List it is NOT SAFE to flush and can can be hazardous to the environment or contaminate the water supply.

Remember: the safest option is to find a take back location near you to dispose of unused or expired medication or use a DisposeRx packet. If you choose to flush medication, be sure to only flush medication on the flush list.

Flush-Safe Medications that Contain Opioids

Any drug that contains the word “buprenorphine

  • Belbuca
  • Buavail
  • Butrans
  • Suboxone
  • Subutex
  • Zubsolv

Any drug that contains the word “morphine

  • Arymo ER
  • Avinza
  • Embeda
  • Kadian
  • Morphabond ER
  • MS Contin
  • Oramorph SR

Any drug that contains the word “fentanyl

  • Abstral
  • Actiq
  • Duragesic
  • Fentora
  • Onsolis

Any drug that contains the word “oxycodone

  • Codoxy
  • Combunox
  • Oxadydo (formally Oxecta)
  • Oxycet
  • Oxycontin
  • Percocet
  • Percodan
  • Roxicet
  • Roxicodone
  • Roxilox
  • Roxybond
  • Targiniq ER
  • Troxyca ER
  • Tylox
  • Xartemis XR
  • Xtampza ER

Any drug that contains the word “hydrocodone” or “benzhydrocodone

  • Apadaz
  • Hysingla Er
  • Norco
  • Reprexain
  • Vicodin
  • Vicodin ES
  • Vicodin HP
  • Vicoprofen
  • Zohydro ER

Any drug that contains the word “hydromorphone

  • Exalgo

Any drug that contains the word “oxymorphone

  • Opana
  • Opana ER

Any drug that contains the word “meperidine

  • Demerol

Any drug that contains the word “tapentadol

  • Nucynta
  • Nucynta ER

Any drug that contains the word “methadone

  • Dolophine
  • Methadose

Flush-Safe Medications that do NOT contain Opioids

Any drug that contains the word “sodium oxybatel” or “sodium oxybates

  • Xyrem
  • Xywav

Diazepam rectal gel

  • Diastat
  • Diastat acudial

Methylphenidate transdermal system

  • Daytrana
5. Throw Away in the Trash

If your medication isn’t listed on the FDA’s Flush List AND a take-back program or method is not available, you can throw them away in your household trash.

Follow these steps to safely throw your medication away in the trash:

  1. Remove the drugs from their original containers and mix them with something undesirable, such as used coffee
    grounds, dirt, or cat litter. This makes the medicine less appealing to children and pets and unrecognizable to
    someone who might intentionally go through the trash looking for drugs.
  2. Put the mixture in something you can close (a re-sealable zipper storage bag, empty can, or other container) to
    prevent the drug from leaking or spilling out.
  3. Throw the container in the garbage.
  4. Scratch out all your personal information on the empty medicine packaging to protect your identity and privacy.
    Throw the packaging away.
Visit the FDA for more information on proper prescription medication disposal. Learn how to keep medications you are currently using safe and secure with a Medication Lock Box.
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