"Dispose of prescription drugs properly and help keep them out of our waterways. Don't flush them down the toilet." - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The Associated Press released a series of articles that show public water supplies in many cities throughout the U.S. contain traces of prescription drugs. One way that drugs get into the water supplies is from people disposing of them by flushing them down the toilet.

Federal Guidelines:

• Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers and throw them in the trash.

• Mixing prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter, and putting them in impermeable, non-descript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags, will further ensure the drugs are not diverted.

• Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs doing so.

• Take advantage of community pharmaceutical take-back programs that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal. Some communities have pharmaceutical take-back programs or community solid-waste programs that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal. Where these exist, they are a good way to dispose of unused pharmaceuticals.

The FDA advises that the following drugs be flushed down the toilet instead of thrown in the trash:

Actiq (fentanyl citrate)

Daytrana Transdermal Patch (methylphenidate)

Duragesic Transdermal System (fentanyl)

OxyContin Tablets (oxycodone)

Avinza Capsules (morphine sulfate)

Baraclude Tablets (entecavir)

Reyataz Capsules (atazanavir sulfate)

Tequin Tablets (gatifloxacin)

Zerit for Oral Solution (stavudine)

Meperidine HCl Tablets

Percocet (Oxycodone and Acetaminophen)

Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate)

Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet)

Note: Patients should always refer to printed material accompanying their medication for specific instructions.