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 hide that container by placing it in another container such as a brown paper bag. 

• Throw these containers in the trash.

• If you have any questions about what to do with leftover, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs, call the Georgia Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 or contact your local pharmacy.