how to dispose left over anti biotics drugs?

blinkbox

Any thoughts on how to dispose left over antibiotics drugs ?

vodkachick68

Take them to your nearest pharmacy,most of them will dispose of unwanted medication.

Old_Git

why are they left over .I was speaking to my aunt who is a retired pharmacist .She told me if people dont take the full course the virus / infection can come back.

Toothsmith

It depends what The 'course' was.

If it's just a 7 or 10 day course to sort out a specific acute infection, like a chest infection, then yes, you should finish the course and not have any left.

But people like teenagers with acne or people with other skin problems like rosacea can be prescribed them quite long term, and have quite large amounts and still have as load when the Dr decides that treatment is over.

Also, people can have their antibiotics changed part way through treatment, and, of course, elderly relatives can die and leave behind a whole pharmacy of tablets!

donnac2558

I sometimes have left over antibiotics. I have asthma and sometimes with a chest infection the first course don't work, you will know by day four. So I get a different course to start straight away.

As I get chest infections usually 3 times a year, I keep mine and start ASAP, gives me time to get to the doctor.

janiebquick

You should always return unwanted drugs to the pharmacy.

janiebquick

Old_Git wrote: »

why are they left over .I was speaking to my aunt who is a retired pharmacist .She told me if people dont take the full course the virus / infection can come back.

Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.

barbiedoll

donnac2558 wrote: »

I sometimes have left over antibiotics. I have asthma and sometimes with a chest infection the first course don't work, you will know by day four. So I get a different course to start straight away.

As I get chest infections usually 3 times a year, I keep mine and start ASAP, gives me time to get to the doctor.

This statement would probably horrify most pharmacists but I do get where you're coming from. Please make sure that you check the "use by" dates on them though, before you take any left-over meds. Especially if you get them in a pot instead of a foil strip, which may mean that were dispensed from a large container which could have been hanging around on a shelf for ages!

Lilly12

I have always been told to finish any antibiotic course that you are given because otherwise the problem may become even worse. I do agree with the notion of returning them to your nearest pharmacy though. They can dispose of them properly instead of us tossing it in the bin or worse yet, flushing them down the sink.

InsideInsurance

barbiedoll wrote: »

This statement would probably horrify most pharmacists

Depends where you come from. Here antibiotics are prescription only but in many countries most are over the counter medicines. The Mrs always "stocks up" when she goes to visit family

Nick_C

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Depends where you come from. Here antibiotics are prescription only but in many countries most are over the counter medicines. The Mrs always "stocks up" when she goes to visit family

That is why many bacteria are now becoming drug resistant, and there is a really possibility that diseases that we had under control will once again become a serious threat to humanity.