<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" Reader Question: I&amp;#039;m cleaning out my medicine cabinet, but I&amp;#039;m not sure what to do with the expired drugs I want to discard. Should I flush them down the toilet? Don&amp;#039;t flush them! Doing so will increase the trace amounts of prescription and OTC meds making their way into our water supply. Although we&amp;#039;ll never get rid of the problem completely (some drugs end up in the water supply because people don&amp;#039;t metabolize them completely and the rest is passed in body waste), we don&amp;#039;t want to magnify the problem. Instead, the FDA recommends that you remove unused medication from its original container and mix it with some kitty litter or coffee grounds; the mixture should then be placed in a sealable plastic bag before being tossed in the trash. To protect your own privacy, scratch out personal data on the medication bottle before throwing it out. (Exceptions to the &amp;quot;no flush&amp;quot; rule include narcotics and other controlled substances; the FDA says that flushing is the best way to ensure that no one who shouldn&amp;#039;t have them gets them.) I want to hear from you, so e-mail me your questions at dailywd@womansday.com.  Disclaimer: Your seeking information on health related topics and/or Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD&amp;#039;s providing such information herein constitutes neither the solicitation of nor the provision of medical advice, services, care or treatment. Communication with Dr. Fryhofer on this website does not create a doctor/patient relationship. For concerns about your own particular medical condition, you should consult your own medical professional, who can examine and evaluate you. Communication on a website is not a substitute for taking an active role in your own medical care and treatment and being personally seen by a physician of choice in your area.  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/life/a41298/how-to-dispose-of-medication-5615/>