DisposeRx is on a mission to create safer, healthier communities by eradicating the misuse of unused prescription medications.
DisposeRx is on a mission to create safer, healthier communities by eradicating the misuse of unused prescription medications.
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How to Use
Instructions are available online in English, Spanish, and more.
About Medication Safety
Reduce the risks in your home and community with simple and practical safety tips.
Mail-back Envelopes
Looking for another layer of protection? Use our form to request a medication mail-back envelope.
Proper disposal is easy with DisposeRx
The DisposeRx in-home medication disposal solution is simple and easy to use. Simply follow the instructions below.
Step 1: Add Water
Open the medication vial, and add water until vial is about 2/3 full.
Step 2: Add DisposeRx
Empty the DisposeRx powder into the vial and replace the cap.
Step 3: Shake and Toss
Shake the vial for 30 seconds. Within a few seconds of shaking, a gel will start forming, and you’ll notice that the rattling of pills will be less noticeable. Toss the vial into the trash.
Please Note
- The amount of water added to the vial does not have to be exact; the activated DisposeRx gel will still be effective.
- Since pills and tablets can vary in size, DisposeRx was developed based on container size rather than pill count. Large vials may require additional packets.
- We do recommend that the medication vial contain no more than 1/3 of unused medication.
Educational Materials in Additional Languages
Proper disposal is easy with DisposeRx
The DisposeRx in-home medication disposal solution is simple and easy to use. Simply follow the instructions below.
Step 1: Add Water
Open the medication vial, and add water until vial is about 2/3 full.
Step 2: Add DisposeRx
Empty the DisposeRx powder into the vial and replace the cap.
Step 3: Shake and Toss
Shake the vial for 30 seconds. Within a few seconds of shaking, a gel will start forming, and you’ll notice that the rattling of pills will be less noticeable. Toss the vial into the trash.
Please Note
- The amount of water added to the vial does not have to be exact; the activated DisposeRx gel will still be effective.
- Since pills and tablets can vary in size, DisposeRx was developed based on container size rather than pill count. Large vials may require additional packets.
- We do recommend that the medication vial contain no more than 1/3 of unused medication.
Educational Materials in Additional Languages
Why is medication safety so important?
Medication safety is a matter of life and health. From improper storage to misuse, medication errors can lead to serious harm. As our population ages and medication regimens become more complex, the risk increases. By advocating for better policies and practices, we ensure that medications do what they’re supposed to: heal, not harm.
in the U.S.—131 million people—take at least one prescription medication.
Report: Prescription Drugs
Misuse of prescription pain relievers is, after marijuana use, the second most common form of illicit drug use in the United States.
are unsure how to safely dispose of unused medications, survey reveals.
6 out of 10 fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
admit to misusing stimulants like Adderall.
Obtaining opioids free from friends or relatives was the most common source for both adolescents (33.5%) and young adults (41.4%).
Be aware and tips to be prepared
All medications carry some level of risk to patients, families, caregivers and even pets. Help reduce the risks by learning more about medication safety and how to best protect your home.
Follow These Tips to Reduce the Risks:
Take medications exactly as prescribed.
Never change your dose or stop taking a prescription without your doctor’s guidance—even if you’re feeling better.
Don’t take medications longer than needed.
When your treatment is over, dispose of leftover pills safely to reduce the risk of misuse.
Never share your medications.
Even with good intentions, giving someone your medication can cause serious harm. What works for you may be dangerous for them.
Safely dispose of expired or unused medications.
Use a proven disposal method like a DisposeRx packet to neutralize medications in the bottle and toss them in the trash—quick, safe, and effective.
Store medications out of reach or consider using locking medication caps or cabinets.
These offer an extra layer of protection and peace of mind for families with children or visitors in the home.
Teach children that medications are not candy.
Talk openly about medication safety and discourage children from playing with pill containers or medicine boxes.
Always double-check the prescription label.
Before taking any medication, confirm the name, dosage, and expiration date to prevent mistakes.
Keep a current list of all medications in the home.
Maintaining a simple, up-to-date medication list—prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements—helps in emergencies, doctor visits, or if medications are ever misplaced or misused. It’s especially helpful for caregivers, older adults, and households with multiple people on medications.
Have a regular “medicine cabinet cleanout.”
Schedule a seasonal reminder—like during spring cleaning or back-to-school—to remove medications you no longer need. Depending on your household and the amount of prescriptions used, you may need to do this monthly to preserve a healthy home.
Remove personal information before disposal.
When discarding medication containers, mark out your name and prescription details to protect your privacy.
For more medication safety tips
Why is medication safety so important?
Medication safety is a matter of life and health. From improper storage to misuse, medication errors can lead to serious harm. As our population ages and medication regimens become more complex, the risk increases. By advocating for better policies and practices, we ensure that medications do what they’re supposed to: heal, not harm.
in the U.S.—131 million people—take at least one prescription medication.
Report: Prescription Drugs
Misuse of prescription pain relievers is, after marijuana use, the second most common form of illicit drug use in the United States.
are unsure how to safely dispose of unused medications, survey reveals.
6 out of 10 fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
admit to misusing stimulants like Adderall.
Obtaining opioids free from friends or relatives was the most common source for both adolescents (33.5%) and young adults (41.4%).
Be aware and tips to be prepared
All medications carry some level of risk to patients, families, caregivers and even pets. Help reduce the risks by learning more about medication safety and how to best protect your home.
Follow These Tips to Reduce the Risks:
Take medications exactly as prescribed.
Never change your dose or stop taking a prescription without your doctor’s guidance—even if you’re feeling better.
Don’t take medications longer than needed.
When your treatment is over, dispose of leftover pills safely to reduce the risk of misuse.
Never share your medications.
Even with good intentions, giving someone your medication can cause serious harm. What works for you may be dangerous for them.
Safely dispose of expired or unused medications.
Use a proven disposal method like a DisposeRx packet to neutralize medications in the bottle and toss them in the trash—quick, safe, and effective.
Store medications out of reach or consider using locking medication caps or cabinets.
These offer an extra layer of protection and peace of mind for families with children or visitors in the home.
Teach children that medications are not candy.
Talk openly about medication safety and discourage children from playing with pill containers or medicine boxes.
Always double-check the prescription label.
Before taking any medication, confirm the name, dosage, and expiration date to prevent mistakes.
Keep a current list of all medications in the home.
Maintaining a simple, up-to-date medication list—prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements—helps in emergencies, doctor visits, or if medications are ever misplaced or misused. It’s especially helpful for caregivers, older adults, and households with multiple people on medications.
Have a regular “medicine cabinet cleanout.”
Schedule a seasonal reminder—like during spring cleaning or back-to-school—to remove medications you no longer need. Depending on your household and the amount of prescriptions used, you may need to do this monthly to preserve a healthy home.
Remove personal information before disposal.
When discarding medication containers, mark out your name and prescription details to protect your privacy.
For more medication safety tips
The Patient Guide on Opioid Analgesics
The Patient Guide on Opioid Analgesics
The Patient Guide on Opioid Analgesics is a tool unique to this REMS designed to facilitate important discussions with your patients for whom you select an opioid analgesic. The Patient Guide should be provided to and reviewed with the patient and/or their caregiver at the time of prescribing. It contains important safety information about the drug products subject to this REMS program and includes space for you to write additional information to help your patients use their opioid analgesic safely.
Mailback Envelope Request Form
Sample medication label.
Use the form below to request a medication mail-back envelope. Please limit one request per name or address.
Click to request an envelope.
Mailback Envelope Request Form
Use the form below to request a medication mail-back envelope. Please limit one request per name or address.
Click to request an envelope.
Family safety goes beyond prescription drug risks. Need more help?
Call 211
For help with:
- Food
- Housing and shelter
- Utility assistance
- Healthcare services
- Transportation
- Legal services
- Counseling
Call 988
For help with:
- Substance use crisis
- Thoughts of suicide
- Mental health crisis
- Emotional distress
- Veterans crisis
Call 911
For help with:
- Medical emergencies
- Suspicious activities
- Domestic violence
- Impaired driving
- Active fire
- Abduction
- Crime
Family safety goes beyond prescription drug risks. Need more help?
Call 211
For help with:
- Food
- Housing and shelter
- Utility assistance
- Healthcare services
- Transportation
- Legal services
- Counseling
Call 988
For help with:
- Substance use crisis
- Thoughts of suicide
- Mental health crisis
- Emotional distress
- Veterans crisis
Call 911
For help with:
- Medical emergencies
- Suspicious activities
- Domestic violence
- Impaired driving
- Active fire
- Abduction
- Crime