Dispose of Expired Medications for the Elderly

Protecting Family Members is One Reason to Discard Old Medicines

Sep 5, 2009 Mary King

A caregiver can prevent a tragic accident by routinely disposing of medications no longer used by an elderly family member. Reduce temptation for teen drug abuse, too.

Caregivers of an elderly parent (or parents) can prevent tragic consequences by getting rid of old expired medications kept in the older person's home. It doesn't take long for out-of-date pills, tablets, gel caps, and cough syrups to accumulate – both prescription and over-the-counter medications. The primary concern for disposal is to protect the older person, but there is more than one reason for cleaning out an elderly loved one's medicine cabinet.

Primary Reasons to Dispose of Expired Medications

Seniors who live alone often leave medications on the bedroom nightstand, in the bathroom, on the kitchen table, or even by a favorite chair in the living room. They keep daily medicines in pockets and purses, desk drawers, kitchen windowsills, and even in medicine cabinets. Elderly people are often forgetful, and most don't see well enough to read the printed label on a small prescription bottle. Some older citizens even combine medications into a single bottle or add what's left of an older medication to a newly filled prescription container.

It's not uncommon for elderly persons to mistakenly take old or expired medications prescribed for an ailment or condition they no longer have. What's worse is they may unknowingly take an old medicine that shouldn't be combined with a newer, different prescription. Deadly drug interactions and possible over-medicating are among the primary reasons why caregivers are urged to keep check on medications for an elderly family member.

Is it Safe to Take Expired Medications Still Being Used?

Given the cost of some prescription medications and even some OTC (Over the counter) medications, many people frown on disposing of medicines that are still being used by the individual. Caregivers are warned that with some medications the chemical composition can become altered with age. Other elements that may affect the potency of a medicine over a period of time are heat, light, humidity, and temperature. There is a reason expiration dates are stamped on medication containers.

Under ideal conditions expired medications may retain their potency, according to the website, John's Hopkins Health Alerts. In the article, "How Long Do Medications Last" (2009), the author (not given) states, "Most medications, though, retain their potency well beyond the expiration date, and outdated medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, are not usually harmful...But you should discard any pills that have become discolored, turned powdery, or smell strong; any liquids that appear cloudy or filmy; or any tubes of cream that are hardened or cracked."

Other Reasons to Get Rid of an Elderly Family Member's Old and Expired Medicines

When an elderly person is no longer taking a medication, it is best to dispose of it for safety reasons. The safety issue extends beyond the senior family member to younger family members that might come to the apartment or home for a visit. Other reasons to dispose of medications no longer used by an elderly family member:

Children visiting may accidentally mistake pretty colored pills for candy. The elderly person's home is not likely to be child-proof.
Teenage drug abuse is on the rise, but it's not illegal drugs attracting older kids. Legal drug abuse by teens has caused an alarming number of deaths, even among "good" kids that would never dream of trying street drugs. Kids are selling most any drugs they can get their hands on to make money, too.
Elderly people may try to dispose of expired medications the old-fashioned way. Flushing pills and drugs down the toilet is unsafe for the environment. Woman's Day magazine offers a short article titled, "What to Do with Expired Meds" (April 15, 2008, page 61). Author Barbara Brody enlightens readers to the following information: "According to the American Pharmacists Association and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, flushing medication down the toilet is a bad idea, since hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals can make their way into the water supply."

How to Properly Dispose of Expired Medications

Check to see if a local pharmacy will dispose of the medications. Consumers can also dispose of the expired pills, according to Brody, who says in the same article, "... crush pills and dissolve them in water; mix with kitty litter, coffee grounds, or sawdust to absorb the ingredients ... " Brody further instructs consumers to seal the ingredients in a plastic bag and toss it in the garbage. Sealing the ingredients prevents accidental animal poisoning.

There are a number of valid reasons for disposing of medications an elderly person no longer uses. Caregivers and seniors are urged to properly dispose of expired medications and any drugs that don't have a normal presentation. It's better to be safe than sorry where prescription and OTC medications are involved. Taking every possible precaution may very well prevent an accident.

The copyright of the article Dispose of Expired Medications for the Elderly in Caregiver Support is owned by Mary King. Permission to republish Dispose of Expired Medications for the Elderly in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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