Getting Rid of Unused Medicine With a DisposeRx® Kit

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This information describes how to get rid of your unused medicine with a DisposeRx kit.

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About getting rid of unused medicine

It’s important to get rid of your unused medicine when you do not need them anymore. This will keep anyone from using them.

Some medicine, including narcotics (opioids), can be harmful or dangerous if you do not follow following your healthcare provider’s instructions.

Most medicine cannot be flushed down the toilet or drain. Flushing unused medicine down the toilet or putting it down the drain can damage our water supply and harm wildlife. You can use a DisposeRx kit to safely get rid of your unused medicine.

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What is a DisposeRx kit?

A DisposeRx kit has a powder that dissolves (melts) your medicine into a gel. This keeps anyone from using it and makes it safe to throw away in your regular trash.

You can request a DisposeRx kit at the MSK Retail Pharmacy locations at the end of this resource.

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How to use a DisposeRx kit

To get rid of your unused medication with a DisposeRx kit:

  1. Remove the prescription label from the pill bottle.
  2. Open the pill bottle and fill it with warm water until it’s ⅔ full.
  3. Empty the packet of the DisposeRx kit into the pill bottle.
  4. Put the cap back on the pill bottle. Make sure the cap is on tight.
  5. Shake the pill bottle for 30 seconds.
  6. Throw the pill bottle and empty packet into the trash.

Do not eat, drink, or inhale (breathe in) the powder or gel.

For more information about using a DisposeRx kit, talk with your pharmacist.

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Where to get a DisposeRx kit at MSK

Ask for a DisposeRx kit at the following MSK Retail Pharmacy locations:

MSK Manhattan sites

Rockefeller Pavilion at 53rd Street
3rd Floor, Room 352
Monday to Friday, to
646-888-0731

Breast and Imaging Center at 66th Street
3rd Floor, Room 302
Monday to Friday, to
646-888-0732

David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care
1st Floor Lobby, Room 01-101
Monday to Friday, to
646-888-0735

MSK Regional sites

MSK Basking Ridge
Concourse Level, Suite 171
Monday to Friday, to
908-542-3443

MSK at Bergen Retail Pharmacy
Concourse level, Room 1001
Monday to Friday, to
201-775-7055

MSK Monmouth
Concourse Level, Room 1136
Monday to Friday, to
848-225-6060

MSK Westchester
Concourse Level, Room 2204
Monday to Friday, to
914-367-7016

MSK Commack
1st Floor Lobby, Room 1401
Monday to Friday, to
631-212-6110

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If you have questions or concerns, contact your healthcare provider. A member of your care team will answer Monday through Friday from to Outside those hours, you can leave a message or talk with another MSK provider. There is always a doctor or nurse on call. If you’re not sure how to reach your healthcare provider, call 212-639-2000.
If you have questions or concerns, contact your healthcare provider. A member of your care team will answer Monday through Friday from to Outside those hours, you can leave a message or talk with another MSK provider. There is always a doctor or nurse on call. If you’re not sure how to reach your healthcare provider, call 212-639-2000.

For more resources, visit www.mskcc.org/pe to search our virtual library.

Getting Rid of Unused Medicine With a DisposeRx® Kit - Last updated on November 7, 2024
All rights owned and reserved by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Last Updated

Thursday, November 7, 2024

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