When you no longer take prescription pain medication, you may have some pills you did not use.
- Studies have shown that many people actually use only about half their prescription pain medication.
- A little over half of people who abuse prescription pain medication say a family member or friend gave it to them. This family member or friend had not used all the medication from a previous prescription.
To protect the environment and prevent opioid abuse, two things are important:
- You dispose of medication you have not used.
- You dispose of it in the right way.
When you were given medication, you also were also given a bag called a Deterra Drug Disposal Pouch™. These bags contain a product that neutralizes the medication. This lessens the effects medication can have on the water supply.
When you no longer take prescription pain medication, safely throw out what you have not used. By doing so, you will protect your family, your friends and the planet.
This material is for your education and information only. This content does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. New medical research may change this information. If you have questions about a medical condition, always talk with your health care provider.
- © 2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.
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