Drug Enforcement Administration officials say it’s important to properly dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs before they are accidentally ingested, stolen or abused.
Dr. Holly Geyer, an addiction treatment specialist at the Mayo Clinic, says, “Do not leave these medications outside the home unless your health care provider gives you a specific reason to keep them at home once you have finished taking them.” is the best.”
Doctors and DEA officials say there are five groups of prescription drugs that should never be left unused at home.
Opioids: Oxycodone and other opioid drugs were linked to more than 81,000 overdose deaths in the U.S. last year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control.
Anti-anxiety drugs: “These are drug classes like lorazepam and alprazolam that can be toxic, especially when combined with other drugs that have sedative effects,” Geyer says.
Sleeping pills: Discard or store it when you no longer need it.
Muscle relaxants: Use with other substances may increase the risk of overdose.
Cough medicine: “We are aware that a phenomenon called ‘lobotripping’ occurs among teenagers when the medicine contains dextromethorphan. Therefore, cough medicines can be toxic even when purchased over the counter. It’s possible. Take it out when you no longer need it,” she says.
DEA officials say the best way to dispose of these drugs is to find a drug drop box at your local police station.
