Medicine
Q: I found
some pills in an unlabeled bottle. How do I find out what they
are?
A:
Take the pills to your pharmacist. He/she can identify them for
you. If the pharmacist cannot identify the pills, he/she can
call the GPC. The GPC will only identify pills for pharmacists
and physicians.
Q: Is it
dangerous to take expired medicine?
A:
Yes! Medicine changes over time leaving it in a toxic or
ineffective form. The expiration date is provided for your
protection. Never take expired medicine.
Q: If my medicine has expired, what is the proper
way to dispose of it?
A: These are the Federal guidelines for the proper
disposal of prescription drugs:
§
Take leftover, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their
original containers.
§
Mix the prescription drugs with an unwanted substance, like used
coffee grounds or kitty litter, and put them in waterproof,
plain containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags. Further
conceal that container by placing it in another container such
as a brown paper bag.
§
Throw these containers in the trash.
§
Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the patient
information that comes with the drugs instructs it is safe to do
so.
§
Return leftover, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs to
pharmaceutical take-back locations that allow the public to
bring unused drugs to a central location for safe disposal. You
can also check with your pharmacy.