About Prescription Drugs

Safe Handling of Prescription Drugs

Safe Use:

• Use medications exactly as prescribed.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
• Never “double up” on a dose.
• Do not stop your medication without consulting with your doctor.
• Only use medication prescribed to you.
• Never share medications.
• Never take someone else’s medications.

Safe Storage:

• Always lock up your medications.
• Keep medications away from children and pets.
• Medications should remain in the bottle in which they came.
• Never keep expired or unused medication.
• Keep track of how many pills are in medication bottles.

Safe Disposal:

• Drop off unused medications at police stations or pharmacies that participate in take back programs. Click here for locations.
• Do not give medications to friends or family members.
• Medications can be mixed in with used coffee grounds or kitty litter and thrown away.
• Utilize at home disposal methods. (Deterra Bags).
• In an emergency, flush medications down the toilet.

Courtesy of NCADA.