FDA Offers Medicine Disposal Advice

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A Web page that advises consumers how to dispose of certain medicines has been introduced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Included on the page are instructions for getting rid of a number of powerful opioids that could be harmful or deadly if taken by someone other than the intended patient. The FDA says these drugs should be flushed down a sink or toilet, United Press International reported.

Any medicines not listed on the Web site should be mixed with an unpalatable substance, such as coffee grounds, and then thrown away in the household trash.

"The FDA is working with other groups to improve the use of several drug disposal methods, including drug take-back programs," said Dr. Douglas Throckmorton, deputy director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, UPI reported. "However, for some potent medicines ... the FDA currently recommends flushing them down the sink or toilet to immediately and permanently remove them from the home."