Federal Regulations for Prescription Drugs

Who knew the president's executive committee would have time to regulate this?

Office of National Drug Control Policy
ONDCP, Washington, D.C. 20503
p (202) 395-6618 f (202) 395-6730
Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs
Office of Nati onal Drug Control Pol i cy February 2007
www.WhiteHouseDrugPolicy.gov
Federal Guidelines:
Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original
containers and throw them in the trash.
Mixing prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee
grounds or kitty litter, and putting them in impermeable, non-descript containers,
such as empty cans or sealable bags, will further ensure the drugs are not diverted.
Flush prescription drugs down the
toilet only if the label or accompanying

patient information specifically instructs
doing so (see below).
Take advantage of community
pharmaceutical take-back programs
that allow the public to bring unused
drugs to a central location for proper

disposal. Some communities have
pharmaceutical take-back programs
or community solid-waste programs
that allow the public to bring unused
drugs to a central location for proper
disposal. Where these exist, they are
a good way to dispose of unused
pharmaceuticals.

The FDA advises that the following drugs be
flushed down the toilet instead of thrown in
the trash:
Actiq (fentanyl citrate)
Daytrana Transdermal Patch (methylphenidate)
Duragesic Transdermal System (fentanyl)
OxyContin Tablets (oxycodone)
Avinza Capsules (morphine sulfate)
Baraclude Tablets (entecavir)
Reyataz Capsules (atazanavir sulfate)
Tequin Tablets (gatifloxacin)
Zerit for Oral Solution (stavudine)
Meperidine HCl Tablets
Percocet (Oxycodone and Acetaminophen)
Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate)
Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet)
Note: Patients should always refer to printed material
accompanying their medication for specific instructions.