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Medical Author:

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Follow the drug manufacturer's instructions for disposing unused medication (most recommend to return drugs to a pharmacy). Most drugs can be thrown in the household trash. Before throwing drugs in the trash, take them out of their original container and mix them in a bag with other household trash (mix with coffee grounds or kitty litter as suggested by the FDA) so that they are unrecognizable and undesirable by anyone who might go through trash. Such treatment makes discarded medications less likely to be consumed by children or pets. Despite environmental concerns, some drugs should be flushed down the toilet because they can be very harmful if accidentally consumed by kids or pets. Visit www.FDA.gov for a list of drugs that should be flushed. Drugs can also be disposed by taking them to the pharmacy or to community drug take-back programs.