What you need to know:
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications can be dangerous for kids and teens, especially opioids.
- Keep medication in a locked box or cabinet out of reach and sight of children, and return it there after each use.
- You can dispose of unused or expired prescription or over-the-counter medications at a drug take-back location.
Any prescription or over-the-counter medications can be dangerous when they’re not taken as prescribed or directed, especially for kids and teens. Opioids pose a particularly high risk since they can slow down or stop breathing and are very addictive.
A 2024 study found that while reported opioid exposures among young children declined between 2016 and 2023, there was a 300 percent absolute increase in the number of deaths and serious effects from opioids.
Correctly storing and disposing of medication, including opioids, is an important way to keep your family safe. Read on to learn how.
How can I safely store medication at home?
Keep medication in a locked box or cabinet out of reach and sight of children, and return it there after each use. If you need to carry medication with you, keep it in its original packaging and ensure that it has a childproof lid.
“Kids are coming to the ER because of ingestion issues every nine minutes right now. That’s how prevalent it is,” said Shannon Moody, the chief policy and strategy officer of Kentucky Youth Advocates, in a Spectrum News article. Moody explained that large doses of medication could damage children’s organs, including the liver, lungs, and heart.
If you spill pills or liquid medication, clean it up immediately. For some medications like opioids, even a small amount can be life-threatening for children.
How do I dispose of unused medication?
You can dispose of unused or expired prescription or over-the-counter medications at a drug take-back location. Find local, authorized drug take-back locations using this search tool. Not every location accepts all types of medications, so it’s a good idea to ask about your specific medications. Don’t forget to remove personal information from medication bottles before disposal.
Medication can also be mailed using a prepaid drug mail-back envelope, which may be available for free at some pharmacies.
“If you don’t have a take-back location nearby, you can dispose of your medication in your household garbage. But you should remove it from the bottle and mix it with coffee grounds or kitty litter,” said pharmacist Stacia Woodcock in a CBS News article.
Some medications can also be flushed down a toilet. However, flushing should be a backup plan after exhausting other options. Learn which medications can be flushed by reviewing the Food and Drug Administration’s flush list.
What should I tell children and teens about medication safety?
Always supervise young children when you’re giving them any medication, and make sure that they know to never take someone else’s medication.
Educate preteens and teens on how to read medication labels. If they’re independently taking their daily medication, check in to ensure that they are taking the appropriate dose, and reiterate the risks of not taking medication as prescribed or sharing it with others.
Sudden changes in mood, behavior, hygiene, or health or missing medication could be signs that your child or teen is using medication recreationally. Their pediatrician can connect you to providers who can help.
What should I do if my child ingested medication they weren’t prescribed?
If you believe your child ingested medication they weren’t prescribed or an unknown amount of any medication, contact Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222, and watch for unusual behavior.
“You should bring your child to the hospital anytime there is a change in mental status, slurred speech or a child is not acting appropriately,” said Dr. Meghan Martin, a pediatric emergency medicine physician, in a Johns Hopkins article.
If your child is unconscious, having a seizure, or having trouble breathing, call 911.
Since opioids are very dangerous for kids, it’s important to know the signs of an opioid overdose, such as unconsciousness, slow or shallow breathing, gurgling sounds, blue or purple lips or nails, and very small (pinpoint) pupils that don’t react to light. Keep naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, on hand, especially if you or someone else in your household is prescribed opioids.
You can get naloxone (also sold as Narcan) for free at many harm reduction programs, or you can purchase it without a prescription at pharmacies, at some convenience stores, and online. It’s safe for people of all ages, including infants.
“It is such an important lifesaving medication, with really no side effects and no danger from using it, that everyone should just consider having it as a part of their first aid kit,” said Dr. Erin McKnight, medical director of the Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in a 2023 Washington Post article. “It’s one of those things that you don’t realize you need until the moment arises.”
Ask your pediatrician about using naloxone for overdoses in children. Always call 911 if you believe someone in your household is experiencing an overdose, even if you’ve administered naloxone.
For more information, talk to your health care provider.