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.