Approximately 200 million pounds of expired medications go uncollected in the US each year - most ending in toilets (wrong) or trash (also wrong). As of 2026, the safest options are DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day (twice annually) and year-round drop boxes at most US pharmacies. FDA has a specific "flush list" of medications safe for toilet disposal; everything else should go to certified drop-offs.
Where to dispose of expired medications (USA, 2026)
| Option | Cost | Best for | Notes |
|---|
| DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day | Free | All medications, year-round | Twice yearly (last Saturday April + October), 4,500+ US drop-off sites |
| CVS Pharmacy year-round drop box | Free | All controlled + non-controlled meds | Most US CVS stores; check at cvs.com/medication-disposal |
| Walgreens year-round drop box | Free | All medications | Most US Walgreens; check at walgreens.com/medication |
| Rite Aid drop box | Free | All medications | Most US Rite Aid stores |
| County HHW facility | Free | Any medication, monthly events | All US counties accept |
| Hospital + clinic drop boxes | Free | Patient-only or all visitors | Varies; call ahead |
| Mail-back disposal kits | $5-$25 per kit | Long-term users + rural areas | Various services (Stericycle, Sharps Compliance) |
| FDA "Flush List" medications | Free | Specific opioids + sedatives only | Toilet disposal allowed per FDA |
| Trash (with deactivation) | Free | Medications NOT on FDA flush list | Mix with coffee grounds or kitty litter in sealed container |
DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
The DEA runs two National Take Back Days per year:
- Spring: last Saturday in April
- Fall: last Saturday in October
- Format: 4,500+ US drop-off sites typically open 10am-2pm
- Accepts: pills, liquids, patches, inhalers, all unused/expired medications (controlled + non-controlled)
- Does NOT accept: needles + sharps (separate disposal), illegal drugs (separate)
Find your nearest at deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback.
DEA-collected medications are incinerated at certified hazardous waste facilities. The program has collected over 19 million pounds of medications since 2010.
Pharmacy year-round drop boxes
The most-convenient option for most US households:
CVS Pharmacy
- Locations: most US CVS stores
- Hours: store hours
- Drop box location: typically near customer service desk or pharmacy counter
- Accepts: pills, capsules, liquids, patches, inhalers, OTC + prescription medications
- Does NOT accept: needles + sharps (separate program), bandages, medical waste
- Find: cvs.com/medication-disposal
Walgreens
- Locations: most US Walgreens
- Drop box: secure metal kiosk near customer service
- Accepts: same as CVS
- Find: walgreens.com/medication
Rite Aid + other chains
- Similar to CVS + Walgreens
- Most independent pharmacies also participate
FDA "Flush List" - exception to no-flushing rule
The FDA has a specific list of medications safe for toilet disposal because of overdose + abuse risk if left in trash:
- Opioids: oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, fentanyl patches, methadone, buprenorphine
- Sedatives: alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam, diazepam, clonazepam, zolpidem (Ambien)
- Some other: meperidine, hydromorphone, paregoric
Check the full list at fda.gov/drugs/medication-disposal.
For medications NOT on the flush list, NEVER flush - they contaminate groundwater + harm aquatic life.
Trash disposal of medications (when other options unavailable)
If you can't reach a drop-off or DEA Take Back Day + your medication is NOT on FDA flush list:
- Remove pills/capsules from original packaging (or keep packaging - some sources recommend either)
- Mix with undesirable substance: coffee grounds, kitty litter, sawdust, cat food
- Place in sealed container (Ziploc bag, plastic container)
- Hide identifying information on prescription bottles (use marker to redact name + prescription number, OR remove label entirely)
- Place in regular trash (not recycling)
This deactivates the medication + makes it less attractive for misuse + reduces environmental impact slightly.
Mail-back disposal kits
For long-term users + rural areas without nearby drop-offs:
| Service | Container | Cost per kit | Accepts |
|---|
| Stericycle Mail-Back | Prepaid envelope | $25-$50 | All medications |
| Sharps Compliance | Various sizes | $25-$60 | Meds + sharps in one kit |
| MedSafe (Inmar) | Prepaid envelope | $20-$45 | All medications |
| Sharps Disposal by Mail | Various sizes | $25-$50 | Meds + sharps |
Best for: families with chronic medication needs, hospice patients, elderly with multiple prescriptions.
What about expired vitamins + OTC supplements?
Vitamins + OTC supplements (Tums, Pepto-Bismol, etc.) follow same disposal rules:
- DEA Take Back Day: yes
- Pharmacy drop boxes: yes (CVS + Walgreens accept OTC)
- Trash with deactivation: yes
- FDA flush list: NOT for vitamins/OTC (only specific prescription medications)
Special situations
Inhalers + asthma rescue medications
- DEA Take Back Day: accepts inhalers
- CVS/Walgreens drop boxes: accept inhalers
- County HHW: accepts
- Don't puncture or burn: pressurized devices
Patches (fentanyl, nicotine, etc.)
- Used patches: fold in half (sticky side together), wrap in tissue, regular trash
- Unused patches: same as medications - DEA Take Back or pharmacy drop box
Pet medications
- DEA Take Back Day: accepts
- Most pharmacy drop boxes: yes
- Veterinary clinics: sometimes have their own disposal programs
Liquids + creams
- DEA Take Back Day: accepts
- Most pharmacy drop boxes: yes
- Trash with deactivation: mix with absorbent material first
Why never flush most medications
US wastewater treatment plants are NOT designed to remove pharmaceutical compounds:
- Active ingredients pass through treatment + enter rivers, lakes, drinking water
- Antibiotics in water systems contribute to antimicrobial resistance
- Hormonal medications disrupt aquatic life (fish populations especially)
- Mental health medications affect aquatic species behavior
The US has detected pharmaceutical contamination in 80%+ of urban water systems.
Cost benchmarks (USA, May 2026)
- DEA Take Back Day drop-off: free
- CVS/Walgreens/Rite Aid drop boxes: free
- County HHW: free
- Mail-back kit: $20-$60 per kit
- Hospital drop box: free
- Sharps Compliance combined med + sharps kit: $25-$60
Sources
- US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Drug Take Back Day program
- US Food + Drug Administration (FDA) Medication Disposal Guidelines
- US EPA Pharmaceuticals in Water Study
- CVS Pharmacy Medication Disposal Program
- Walgreens Safe Medication Disposal Program
Last verified: 2026-05-23. DEA Take Back Day dates + pharmacy drop-off locations vary - confirm at deadiversion.usdoj.gov or your local pharmacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I dispose of old medications?
DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day twice yearly (last Saturday April + October) - 4,500+ US drop-off sites. Year-round drop boxes at CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Rite Aid (most US stores). County HHW facility (always free). Mail-back disposal kits ($20-$60 from Stericycle, Sharps Compliance, MedSafe). FDA flush list ONLY for specific opioids + sedatives.
Can I flush old medications?
ONLY medications on FDA's flush list (specific opioids + sedatives: oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, fentanyl patches, methadone, buprenorphine, Xanax, Ambien, etc.) - safe for toilet because overdose + abuse risk if left in trash. Check full list at fda.gov/drugs/medication-disposal. For all other medications: NEVER flush - contaminates groundwater + harms aquatic life.
Does CVS take back old medications?
Yes - most US CVS Pharmacy stores have year-round drop boxes near customer service desk or pharmacy counter. Accepts: pills, capsules, liquids, patches, inhalers, OTC + prescription medications. Does NOT accept needles + sharps (separate program). Find participating locations at cvs.com/medication-disposal.
What is DEA Take Back Day?
DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - twice yearly (last Saturday April + October), 4,500+ US drop-off sites typically open 10am-2pm. Accepts pills, liquids, patches, inhalers, all unused/expired medications (controlled + non-controlled). Does NOT accept needles/sharps or illegal drugs. Medications incinerated at certified hazardous waste facilities. 19+ million pounds collected since 2010.
How do I dispose of medications if I can't reach a drop-off?
If not on FDA flush list: (1) Remove pills from original packaging or keep + redact identifying info; (2) Mix with undesirable substance (coffee grounds, kitty litter, sawdust, cat food); (3) Place in sealed container (Ziploc bag); (4) Hide identifying info on prescription bottles with marker; (5) Place in regular trash. This deactivates + makes less attractive for misuse.
Why can't I flush most medications?
US wastewater treatment plants are NOT designed to remove pharmaceutical compounds. Active ingredients pass through treatment + enter rivers, lakes, drinking water. Antibiotics contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Hormonal medications disrupt aquatic life (fish populations especially). The US has detected pharmaceutical contamination in 80%+ of urban water systems.
How do I dispose of fentanyl patches?
Used patches: fold in half (sticky side together), wrap in tissue, regular trash. Unused patches: DEA Take Back Day or pharmacy drop box (controlled substance - safer with drop-off than trash). Unused fentanyl patches ARE on FDA flush list as exception (high overdose risk if left in trash). Don't puncture or burn.
Are vitamins + OTC supplements treated the same as prescriptions?
Yes - same disposal rules. DEA Take Back Day: accepts. CVS/Walgreens drop boxes: accept OTC + vitamins. Trash with deactivation: acceptable. FDA flush list: NOT for vitamins/OTC. Why same rules: all expired medications + supplements contain compounds that can contaminate water systems if flushed.
Can I dispose of inhalers at pharmacies?
Yes - inhalers accepted at DEA Take Back Day, CVS + Walgreens + Rite Aid drop boxes, County HHW. Pressurized inhalers + albuterol rescue inhalers contain propellants - don't puncture, burn, or recycle in regular metals stream. Most US pharmacies designed drop boxes specifically to handle inhalers safely.
How long do prescription drugs last after expiration?
Generally 1-5 years past printed expiration date (most prescription drugs remain effective + safe), per US Department of Defense Shelf Life Extension Program studies. Exceptions: insulin, liquid antibiotics, EpiPens, nitroglycerin - lose effectiveness rapidly. Always check expiration date + dispose if older than 2-5 years past expiration for safety.