How to Dispose of Expired Medicines Properly and Safely

Medicines that have passed their expiration date or have changed in color, smell, or shape should no longer be used. However, they also need to be disposed of the right way. Medicines thrown away intact in their packaging risk being misused or repackaged by irresponsible parties, and they can pollute the environment.

Before throwing them away, remove or destroy the labels on the packaging. For tablets or capsules, take them out of their packaging, crush them, then mix them with soil or another unappealing material, and put the mixture in a sealed plastic bag before throwing it in the trash.

Liquid medicines, other than antibiotics, can be diluted and poured down the drain, while the bottle should be destroyed first. For special preparations such as liquid antibiotics, ointments, inhalers, or syringes, it’s best to ask a pharmacist about safe disposal methods.

Some pharmacies and healthcare facilities also offer collection services for damaged or expired medicines. Make a habit of checking the medicine cabinet at home regularly so that medicines that are no longer fit for use can be dealt with promptly.