Storing and Disposing of Prescription Medications

The smart solution to prescription drug storage and disposal.

Put your drugs in a box on a closet shelf, says Paul Doering of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy. That will help keep the meds out of the heat and humidity in the bathroom -- and out of the hands of kids. While you're at it, get rid of any expired or leftover medications.

Expired drugs can lose their potency, so never self-medicate with an old prescription. Traces of pharmaceuticals have been detected in groundwater, so don't flush your expired pills. See if your pharmacy has a take-back program to dispose of old medications, or crush the drugs and mix them with coffee grounds in a sealed plastic bag and toss. They're less likely to get into the water supply, and there's no danger of anyone ingesting them.