Do You Have To Turn In Unused Opioids?

Hello and thanks for contacting us! The simple answer to this question is that there is no legal (state or federal) requirement for someone being required to turn-in unused opioids.

However, many prescribers, and insurance companies do require some sort of 'patient-prescriber opioid agreement', especially with chronic pain patients, which may very well require an individual to follow some sort of process for turning in extra opioids you may have on hand in order to continue to be prescribed opioids.

Leftover Opioids Requirements

There are plenty of scenarios where someone may have extra opioid medication on hand, like in your situation, having leftover Lortab after a dose change.

Other scenarios could include being prescribed an opioid and it not being tolerated or effective, and your prescriber switching to another.

Just as often, if not more so, many people are prescribed opioids for acute pain (e.g. after a medical procedure) and end up not using the entire amount prescribed.

As stated in the beginning of this answer, there is no standing legal requirement that requires an individual to turn-in unused opioids.

Having said that, individuals who deal with chronic pain, and are prescribed opioids on a consistent basis, may be required by their prescriber or their insurance company to sign what is known as a 'patient-prescriber opioid agreement'. These are often called 'pain contracts' as well.

Patient-prescriber opioid agreements are not standardized, but generally require a patient to attest to the same general principles. Most of these agreements do have a section that discusses what to do if you have extra opioid medication on hand.

Below is one section from an example patient-prescriber opioid agreement provided by the FDA:

If you have signed an agreement like this, and there is a section that discusses what you are to do with unused opioids, you must follow it or risk being released from the care of the provider prescribing for you.

Where To Turn In Opioids

If you have signed an opioid agreement with your prescriber, and it requires you to turn in unused opioids, the agreement will generally say what your options are.

Some will require you to turn them into your doctor's office, if they have the appropriate facilities and operations to dispose of them. This is often the case if your doctor is a pain specialist and works with chronic pain patients.

Other times, it may be sufficient to simply turn them into a drug disposal, or take-back event.

Less commonly, your pharmacy may take them back, but they have to be set up specifically to do this as there are a lot of legal requirements around this process.

Other Complications

If you had a recent opioid prescription filled, and your doctor changed your dose or to another opioid altogether, your pharmacy may call your doctor to verify the new prescription.

There of course is nothing illegal about having your dose or medication changed, but pharmacists are required to be diligent when it comes to potential opioid abuse, misuse and diversion.

If your pharmacist sees several opioid fills close together for an amount that would mean that you still have some on-hand, they are likely going to want additional information from the doctor just to verify the prescription and your treatment.

It can be helpful for your doctor to specifically notate on the prescription that it is a dose or drug change, and provide a date that the prescription is okay to fill.

Final Words

Thanks again for your question! I hope this answer helped!

I do want to say that I am speaking in generalities here, as everyone's situation is different. If you have questions about what to do in your specific situation, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacy.