How to Safely Dispose of Expired EpiPens, Inhalers, and Patches

Expired EpiPens, inhalers, and medicated patches aren’t just old medicine-they’re potential hazards. Left in a drawer or tossed in the trash, they can poison kids, hurt pets, contaminate water, or even be stolen for misuse. You wouldn’t leave a loaded gun lying around. Don’t treat these devices any differently.

Why Proper Disposal Matters

An expired EpiPen might look harmless, but it still contains epinephrine-a powerful drug that can cause dangerous side effects if accidentally injected. Inhalers are pressurized cans that can explode if crushed or thrown into a fire. Medicated patches, especially fentanyl ones, still hold enough drug to kill an adult if someone else sticks it on their skin. The FDA says 12% of accidental poisonings in kids come from improperly thrown away meds. That’s not a small risk. It’s a preventable one.

How to Dispose of Expired EpiPens

EpiPens are medical sharps because they have a hidden needle. You can’t just throw them in the trash like a pill bottle. Here’s what to do:

• Take it back to your doctor or allergist. Most offices have a sharps container and will take expired EpiPens when you pick up a new one. No questions asked.
• Use a pharmacy with a sharps take-back program. Not all do, so call ahead. CVS, Walgreens, and some independent pharmacies offer this service. Ask if they accept auto-injectors-some only take needles, not the whole device.
• Find a DEA take-back location. Go to deas takeback day website and search for nearby drop-off sites. These are often police stations, hospitals, or pharmacies.
• If you must store it at home, put it in a rigid, puncture-proof container like a plastic laundry detergent bottle. Label it clearly: "SHARPS - DO NOT RECYCLE - BIOHAZARD." Keep it out of reach of children and pets.

Don’t try to remove the needle, cut it open, or flush it. That’s dangerous and illegal in many places. California requires you to use a mail-back program or drop-off center-no trash disposal allowed. Texas lets you throw it in the trash if it’s in a sealed, labeled container. Know your state rules.

How to Dispose of Inhalers

Inhalers are tricky. They’re pressurized, contain propellants (some of which are greenhouse gases), and can’t be recycled like a soda can. The FDA warns they can explode if punctured or heated.

• Check the label. Some inhalers say "do not puncture" or "do not incinerate." Follow those instructions.
• Call your local waste authority. Many cities have special collection days for aerosols. New York City, for example, accepts them at Household Special Waste Drop-Off Sites.
• Ask your pharmacy. Only about half of Walgreens locations take back inhalers. CVS doesn’t accept them at all. Don’t assume-call first.
• If no take-back option exists, empty the inhaler by spraying it into the air outdoors until no more mist comes out. Then remove the metal canister (if possible) and dispose of it in the regular trash. The plastic mouthpiece can go in recycling if your program accepts #5 plastic.

Don’t throw an unemptied inhaler in the trash. That’s a fire hazard. Don’t burn it. Don’t put it in your curbside recycling bin unless your city specifically says it’s allowed.

How to Dispose of Medicated Patches

Patches are the most dangerous to dispose of improperly. Even after use, they still contain 50% or more of their original drug. Fentanyl patches, in particular, can be lethal if handled by someone else.

• For high-risk patches (fentanyl, buprenorphine, etc.), fold the patch in half with the sticky sides together. Then flush it down the toilet. The FDA has a list of 15 medications that should be flushed immediately to prevent accidental exposure. Fentanyl patches are on that list.
• For other patches (nicotine, lidocaine, etc.), fold the patch sticky side in, place it in a sealed container, mix it with used coffee grounds or cat litter, and throw it in the trash. This makes it unappealing and unusable.
• Don’t flush patches unless the label or FDA says so. Flushing non-listed patches can pollute waterways. The EPA found pharmaceuticals in 80% of tested U.S. waterways.
• Use DisposeRx® packets if available. Sold at 3,900 CVS locations, these packets turn pills and liquids into a gel when mixed with water. But they don’t work for patches. Stick to folding and flushing or mixing with litter.

What About DEA Take Back Days?

The DEA runs two National Prescription Drug Take Back Days every year-usually in April and October. In October 2022, they collected nearly a million pounds of medication across 5,800 locations. These events accept EpiPens, inhalers, and patches. You don’t need to be a patient or show ID. Just bring your expired meds.

If you miss the event, don’t wait. Use the DEA’s online locator to find permanent drop-off sites near you. Rural areas are often underserved-only 37% of rural counties have permanent collection points, compared to 89% of urban ones. If you live in a remote area, ask your pharmacist about mail-back programs.

What NOT to Do

Here are the most common mistakes:

• Don’t throw EpiPens in the trash without a sharps container.
• Don’t flush patches unless they’re on the FDA’s flush list.
• Don’t assume your pharmacy takes everything-ask first.
• Don’t try to dismantle an EpiPen or inhaler.
• Don’t recycle inhaler canisters or EpiPen casings.

A Reddit user from Houston shared: "My CVS said they only take pills, not auto-injectors." That’s not unusual. Many staff aren’t trained on sharps disposal. Don’t take "no" for an answer-ask for the pharmacy manager or call ahead.

How to Stay Prepared

Set a monthly reminder to check your medicine cabinet. Write expiration dates on a sticky note and put it on your fridge. Keep a dedicated sharps container in your bathroom or kitchen. They cost $5-$15 at pharmacies and last for years.

When you get a new EpiPen or inhaler, ask your pharmacist: "Where do I take the old one?" Most will point you to the right place. If they don’t know, ask for the medical director. You’re not being difficult-you’re being responsible.

What’s Changing in 2026?

California passed SB 212 in 2024, requiring drug makers to pay for disposal programs. That means more drop-off boxes, more mail-back kits, and better labeling. EpiPen packaging now includes QR codes that link to disposal instructions. Other states are following. The goal? By 2030, every American should have access to safe, free disposal within 10 miles of home.

Right now, 73% of people don’t know their state’s rules. You can change that. Share this info with family, friends, and neighbors. A single EpiPen in the wrong hands can be deadly. Proper disposal saves lives.