Last updated: July 31, 2026
Unused medicines in the home are a poisoning risk to children, pets and anyone they were not prescribed for. Disposing of them properly protects your household and the water supply.
Best option: a take-back programme
Authorised collection sites accept unwanted medicines year-round and dispose of them safely. Look for permanent drop boxes at retail and hospital pharmacies, police stations and public collection events. Your local pharmacy can tell you where the nearest one is.
If no take-back is available
For most medicines, at home:
- Leave the medicine in its original container where possible.
- Mix it with something unappealing — used coffee grounds, cat litter or soil. Do not crush tablets or capsules.
- Seal the mixture in a bag or container so it cannot leak.
- Put it in your household bin.
- Scratch out all personal information on the label before recycling or discarding the empty container.
Do not flush — with a few exceptions
Most medicines should never be flushed, because they reach rivers and drinking water. A small number of high-risk medicines — mainly certain opioids — carry flush instructions on their labelling because an accidental dose could be fatal. Follow the disposal instructions printed on your medicine's label or leaflet; they override this general guidance.
Special cases
- Needles, syringes and lancets — never in household waste. See Sharps Disposal.
- Inhalers and aerosols — pressurised; do not puncture or burn. Many pharmacies take them back for recycling.
- Fentanyl and other medicated patches — a used patch still contains active drug. Fold it sticky-side to itself before disposal.
- Chemotherapy and cytotoxic medicines — return to a pharmacy or oncology unit; do not put in household waste.
Questions
Our pharmacists are happy to advise on disposing of anything you have bought from us. Contact support@prescibe.com or 1-800-000-0000.