Learn how to safely take and safeguard your medications, partner with your healthcare team to manage your medications, and safely get dispose of medications you no longer need. Contact your doctor’s office with any questions or concerns about your medications.
Know which medications you are taking, why you need them and how to take them
- Learn the names of each of your medications, why you need to take them, how to take them, possible side effects, if you need to avoid any foods while taking them and any other restrictions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for this information and read the drug information sheets that come with every prescription.
- Take each medication exactly as written on the prescription label.
- If a medication looks different than you expected or if the medication refill is not the same color, size or shape as your last prescription, ask your doctor or pharmacist why.
- Drug names can look and sound Make sure you are taking the right medication and talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medication.
Keep a list of all medications and supplements you take
- List all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, herbal products and other medications such as injections, inhalers, ointments and drops. This list should include:
- The name of the drug (both the brand name and the generic name), the dosage you take and how often/ when you take it.
- The expiration date and number of refills you have left for each medication.
- A sample medication list form is available from the Center for Patient Safety: centerforpatientsafety.org.
- Share your medication list with ALL of your healthcare providers each time you see them (ALL doctors, pharmacists, emergency staff or paramedics). This helps them coordinate your care.
- Update your medication list immediately when there are changes.
- Keep your list with you at all times.
- Make sure your family knows where to find your medication list in the event of an emergency. Keep an extra copy of your medication list on your refrigerator door.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any new medication allergies or side effects you have and add the information to your medication list.
Safely take your medications
- Use a chart or pill box organizer to help you remember to take the right medications at the right time(s). If you use an organizer, keep the rest of your pills in their original containers.
- DO NOT stop taking any medication or change the way you take any medication unless your doctor approves (even if you are feeling better).
- If you miss a dose, DO NOT double the next dose. Call your doctor or pharmacist and ask what you should do. Also, read the drug information sheets for each medication to get more information.
- Do not chew, crush or mix a tablet or capsule in food or drink unless the directions say it is safe to do so.
- Do not give your medicine to anyone else.
- Do not take medicine that is prescribed for someone else.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking your medication unless your doctor says it is safe to do.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist if there are any restrictions on food, drinks or activities while taking any of your medications. Also, read the drug information sheets for each medication for this information.
Safely store your medications
- Store your medications in a cool, dry place or according to instructions on the label (some medications may require refrigeration).
- Never store medications in the bathroom, above the stove or in direct sunlight. The heat and moisture can keep them from working like they should.
- If you have children or pets, keep medications out of their reach or in a locked drawer or cabinet and use the child-resistant caps.
- Always store opioids, such as fentanyl, and prescription pain killers, such as oxycodone (Oxycontin), oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, and morphine in a locked cabinet or drawer.
- Keep medications in their original containers (the remaining drugs not in the pill organizer).
- DO NOT store different medications in the same medication bottle.
Safely dispose of medications
Discard old and unneeded medications as soon as possible. Some medications come with disposal instructions. If so, follow those instructions. Almost all medications can be safely disposed of by dropping them off at various drug take-back events. If you do not have access to a drug take-back event, see below for information on how to dispose of them in the trash.
- Opioids, such as fentanyl and methadone, and other pain killers, such as oxycodone (Oxycontin), oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine and morphine are among medications called controlled substances that can be abused and lead to addiction. Because these medications can cause harm to people and animals, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends disposing of these drugs down a sink or flushing them down a toilet if you cannot dispose of them through a drug take-back event. The FDA’s list of flushable drugs can be found here. The FDA conducted a study and found that there is an extremely low risk of health problems due to flushed medications.
Drug take-back events and programs
- You can find the nearest drug disposal location by visiting The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy website’s Drug Disposal Locator: nabp.pharmacy/initiatives or U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) drug disposal location locator: deadiversion.usdoj.gov/Resources.html
- Check with your local pharmacy and law enforcement agencies for in-store and community drug take-back programs and events.
- The DEA sponsors an annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which may be supported in a community near you. Visit: getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/national-take-back-day for more information.
Disposal in household trash
If you do not have access to a drug take-back program or event, follow these instructions to dispose of them in the trash.
- Remove the medications from their original containers and mix them with kitty litter, used coffee grounds, dirt or sawdust (mix liquid medications into the litter or sawdust). Do not crush tablets or open capsules. Put the combined contents in a sealed plastic bag and discard them in the trash.
- Remove the label or scratch out all personal information from the medication bottle and packaging before throwing away the containers.
Disposal of fentanyl patches
- Used and unneeded fentanyl patches should be folded in half, sticky sides together, and flushed down the toilet. Fentanyl is a powerful drug and even used patches can contain enough drug to cause harm or death. Fentanyl patches should NEVER be thrown in the trash due to the risk of death from accidental exposure.
Disposal of inhaler products
- Follow the handling instructions on the labeling or drug information sheets that came with the prescription. These products may be dangerous if punctured or thrown into a fire or incinerator, so check with your local government and/or local trash and recycling facility about proper disposal techniques.
