For Patients
- Overview
- Appointments
- Cancer Treatment Side Effect Management
- FAQs
- Feedback survey
- Insurance and payments
- Laboratory
- Patient advocacy
- Patient forms
- Patient portal
- Retail Pharmacy
- Your First Oncology Visit
- Second opinions and referrals
- Support groups
- Traveling patients
- Understanding Your Cancer Diagnosis
- When to see your primary care provider
Medication disposal
How to prevent accidental poisonings
Before disposing of your medications, follow these simple steps to remove
unused or expired medications from your home to prevent accidental poisoning.
Tablets and capsules
Place tablets and capsules into a disposable, sealable container. Add water and fully submerge medicine, letting it rest until slurry forms. Add cat litter or coffee grounds. Throw entire container into the garbage, out of reach of children and pets.
Topical patches
Fold used or unused patches, sealing sticky sides together. Toss into garbage, out of reach of children and pets.
Sharps
Sharps containers can be taken to the Glenwood Refuse Facility at 3100 E. 17th Ave., Eugene. Prior to drop-off, place sharps inside an approved, red biohazard container or red, hard plastic detergent bottle. Outside Eugene/ Springfield, contact your local garbage company for disposal instructions.
Pharmacies cannot accept medications once they are dispensed.
This information is provided free by Willamette Valley Cancer Institute, November 2011. Because medication disposal guidelines can change, consumers are encouraged to review current best practices.