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Medication Disposal

How to Throw Out Expired, Unused or Unwanted Medications

Medications help you feel better, but you should only take them when prescribed by your doctor. Doctors know how to determine what medications are safe for you. Taking expired medications can be harmful. Your unused or unwanted medications can be dangerous if someone else, like a family member, takes them. Properly throwing out medications once you are finished with them or they are expired is important. It can save your life and the lives of others.

If you have expired, unused or unwanted medications, you can safely get rid of them by:

  • Taking them to a drug take-back event. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sponsors these events nationwide every spring and fall. Find one near you.
  • Calling your local waste management department. They can tell you what options you have and what guidelines are in place.
  • Asking your pharmacist if they take these medications. Some may have mail back programs or a disposal area.  Find a disposal area.

If none of those options are available where you live, you can also safely throw out medications at home. Follow these steps:

  1. Remove medications from their containers
  2. Mix medications with something undesirable such as used coffee grounds, cat litter or dirt.  Do not crush tablets or capsules
  3. Place the mixture in a sealable container or plastic bag
  4. Scratch out or cover all information on the prescription bottle with permanent market or duct tape
  5. Throw the sealed mixture and empty prescription bottles in the trash.

Always check the medication bottle for proper disposal instructions.

https://www.fda.gov/

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Last updated: 10/01/2024
Material ID: H0022_WEBSITE_2025_Approved_10072024

Buckeye Health Plan – MyCare Ohio (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) is a health plan that contracts with both Medicare and Ohio Medicaid to provide benefits of both programs to enrollees.

This is not a complete list. The benefit information is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan or read the Buckeye Member Handbook.

Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat Buckeye members, except in emergency situations. Please call our Member Services number or see your Member Handbook for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services.

If you need help finding a network provider and/or pharmacy, please call 1-866-549-8289 (TTY: 711) or visit mmp.buckeyehealthplan.com to access our online searchable directory. If you would like a Provider/Pharmacy Directory mailed to you, you may call the number above, request one at the website link provided above, or email OH_MMP_EmailRequests@centene.com.

ATTENTION: If you speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-866-549-8289 (TTY: 711) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. After hours, on weekends and on holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day. The call is free.

ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-866-549-8289 (TTY: 711) de 8 a.m. a 8 p.m., de lunes a viernes. Luego del horario de atención, los fines de semana y los días feriados, es posible que se le pida que deje un mensaje. Le devolveremos la llamada durante el próximo día hábil. La llamada es gratis.


Last updated: 10/01/2024
Material ID: H0022_WEBSITE_2025_Approved_10072024

Buckeye Health Plan – MyCare Ohio (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) is a health plan that contracts with both Medicare and Ohio Medicaid to provide benefits of both programs to enrollees.

This is not a complete list. The benefit information is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan or read the Buckeye Member Handbook.

Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat Buckeye members, except in emergency situations. Please call our Member Services number or see your Member Handbook for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services.

If you need help finding a network provider and/or pharmacy, please call 1-866-549-8289 (TTY: 711) or visit mmp.buckeyehealthplan.com to access our online searchable directory. If you would like a Provider/Pharmacy Directory mailed to you, you may call the number above, request one at the website link provided above, or email OH_MMP_EmailRequests@centene.com.

ATTENTION: If you speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-866-549-8289 (TTY: 711) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. After hours, on weekends and on holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day. The call is free.

ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-866-549-8289 (TTY: 711) de 8 a.m. a 8 p.m., de lunes a viernes. Luego del horario de atención, los fines de semana y los días feriados, es posible que se le pida que deje un mensaje. Le devolveremos la llamada durante el próximo día hábil. La llamada es gratis.