What Drugs Can You Flush?

Answer

Thanks for reaching out to us! You are right, most drugs should not be flushed down the toilet due to concerns of water contamination. However, there are some drugs that are exempt from this and have been deemed okay to flush based on their inherent safety risk.

"Flush List"

As mentioned, the FDA publishes a 'flush list' of drugs, which are mostly controlled substances, where it has been determined that the potential risk of harm due to misuse or diversion outweighs any environmental risk

Now, if possible, it is still recommended to a drug disposal site for the drugs on the 'flush list' if one is available, but,  If there is not a timely take-back program that accepts medicines containing controlled substances, the most effective way to immediately and completely eliminate the potential for harm is to remove these medicines from the home by flushing them down the sink or the toilet.

The below list shows the medications and their dosage forms the FDA recommends flushing if these products cannot be stored safely and securely before disposal.

Drug Disposal Info

Even if you have a drug on the list above, flushing should be used as a last resort. Other options are recommended if possible, such as finding a take-back program, public disposal site, etc...

If a take-back program isn't available, and your drug is not on the 'flush' list above, most medications can be thrown in the trash.

If you do decide to throw your unused drugs in the trash, be sure to mix them with something undesirable, like used coffee grounds, dirt, or kitty litter. This will make the drugs less appealing to children, animals, and anyone that may be going through the trash. Also, be sure to put the mixture in a bag or other container that you can seal to prevent leakage.

Final Words

Thanks again for reaching out to us!