The Importance of Reading Prescription Drug Information: Disposing of Old And Expired Drugs
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Prescription drug information shows that disposing of used or expired prescriptions is an important environmental issue - after all, in order for a drug to be approved by the FDA, it must also submit an assessment of how the drug affects the environment. In addition to preserving the integrity of the environment, there are many advantages to properly disposing unused or expired prescription medications.
Aside from helping to protect the integrity of the environment, another obvious advantage to proper medication disposal is reducing the risk of taking the incorrect medication and preventing adults and children from ingesting old or expired medication. Even if labeled with ample prescription drug information, the risk of accidentally taking the wrong medication in a cluttered medicine cabinet is high.
What Not to do With Unused Prescriptions
Flushing medication down the toilet results in prescription medications contaminating local sewage systems. According to studies performed by the United States Geological Survey, 96% of water quality samples examined in 25 states and Puerto Rico were contaminated. Medication contamination discovered included acetaminophen, steroids, hormones, codeine, antibiotics, antimicrobials, and ibuprofen. Many people neglect to read the disposal instructions on their prescription drugs.
Some drugs are excreted into the water supply naturally, as humans do not metabolize all drugs. Others however, are disposed into the water supply negligently before prescription drug information supplied with the medication has been consulted. There are some drugs, which, according to the FDA's guidelines for drug disposal, are safe to be flushed down the toilet, but many are not. The same risk of contamination can occur when dumping medication down the sink.
How to Dispose of Unused Prescriptions
Medication for conditions can be thrown into the household trash, but information about prescription drugs suggest mixing the contaminant with other substances and also disposing it in a sealed bag to prevent spillage.
When accepting any prescription, ask a pharmacist for prescription drug information and appropriate disposal procedures. Many pharmacies have initiated recycling programs to get rid of old, unwanted prescription medications in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. If you are ever in doubt, always consult the information supplied with the medication.
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