Safety when you’re taking a potential or reproductive hazard medicine

Throwing out medicine, used supplies, and garbage

How do I or a caregiver safely throw out potential or reproductive hazard medicine?

Don't put any potential or reproductive hazard medicine in the garbage or a sharps container, and don't flush them down a toilet. If you have extra medicine, ask your pharmacy if you can return it.

Don't put any sharps (like glass vials, syringes, and needles) in the same container as unused, partly used, or expired medicine.

Caregivers should wear disposable gloves and always wash their hands with soap and water before putting on the disposable gloves and after taking off the disposable gloves.

Follow the information in the Alberta Health Services Community Based Services (Home Care) Waste Disposal brochure to know how to throw out general waste, medicine waste, sharps waste, and body fluid waste.

Keep the garbage away from children and pets.

Current as of: June 24, 2022

Author: Provincial Hazardous Medication Committee, Alberta Health Services

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.

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Safety when you’re taking a potential or reproductive hazard medicine

Throwing out medicine, used supplies, and garbage

​​​​​​​​​​How do I or a caregiver safely throw out potential or reproductive hazard medicine?

How do I or a caregiver safely throw out potential or reproductive hazard medicine?