What You Should Know About National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Nearly every household has one: a medicine cabinet holding a half-finished course of antibiotics, an opioid prescription left over from a surgery 2 years ago, or a bottle of sedatives no longer prescribed. On April 25, 2026, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is offering Americans a free, anonymous, no-questions-asked opportunity to do something about it. Here is what patients and providers need to know.

What Is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day?

The DEA hosts National Prescription Drug Take Back Day twice a year, giving the public a safe and anonymous way to dispose of expired and unused prescription medications.¹ The 30th iteration of the event is scheduled for Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM at nearly 4200 locations nationwide. The event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs while also educating the general public about the potential for medication abuse.

“Removing unused and expired medications from your home and disposing of them properly is a simple but powerful step in preventing prescription drug misuse,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole in a statement. “DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a critical public safety initiative that we have hosted for 16 years. Its continued success is due, in large part, to our local and state law enforcement and community partners who continue to stand with us to make our communities safe.”

Why Does Safe Medication Disposal Matter?

Unused medications sitting in home medicine cabinets represent a significant public health risk. Approximately 8 million people over the age of 12 reported misusing prescription pain relievers in 2024, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.² Most people who misuse prescription drugs obtain them from family, friends, and acquaintances—making household stockpiles a primary source of diversion.³ In the 12-month period ending October 2025, there were still over 70,000 overdose deaths reported nationwide, with opioids—including illicit fentanyl—involved in many of these deaths.⁴ Removing unneeded medications from the home is one of the most direct interventions available to reduce accidental poisonings, misuse, and diversion.

How Much Medication Has Been Collected Since the Program Began?

The cumulative impact of Take Back Day has been substantial. The October 2025 event alone brought in 571,054 lb (286 tons) of medication, bringing the total collected by the DEA since fall 2010 to more than 20,391,815 lb—approximately 10,196 tons.³

What Can Be Dropped Off—and What Cannot?

The DEA and its partners collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs.¹ Liquid products such as cough syrup should be securely sealed in their original container. Syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs are not collected. Over-the-counter medications, pet medications, and vape pens—with batteries removed—are also accepted at many collection events.⁵ Participation is entirely anonymous and no documentation is required.

What Should Patients Do If They Cannot Attend?

For those unable to participate, more than 16,500 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses offer safe medication disposal year-round, and many police departments also provide permanent drop boxes.¹ Retailers such as Walgreens offer options on Take Back Day and throughout the year, including DisposeRx packets that render medications unusable and prepaid Seal and Send mail-back envelopes for opioid medications.⁶

When Is It Appropriate to Flush Medications Instead?

Flushing is not the preferred disposal method, but there are specific circumstances where it is warranted. Medications on the FDA flush list are those that carry misuse and abuse potential and can result in death from a single dose if taken by an unintended person.⁷ Both the FDA and EPA recommend households use a take-back event or mail-back envelope as a first priority; flushing is reserved for situations where no take-back option is readily available and the medication appears specifically on the FDA flush list.⁸ For all other medications, the FDA advises mixing them with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds, sealing the mixture in a container, and discarding it in the trash after removing personal information from the original packaging.⁹

How Can Clinicians and Health Systems Support Participation?

Clinicians are well-positioned to prompt patients to clear their medicine cabinets. A simple question such as “Do you have any medications at home you're no longer using?” can open the door to education and action.¹⁰ Health systems, pharmacies, and community health workers can display promotional materials, include reminders in patient communications, and direct patients to www.DEATakeBack.com to find a nearby collection site.

References

1. DEA hosts the 30th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25th. Drug Enforcement Administration. April 22, 2026. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2026/04/22/dea-hosts-30th-national-prescription-drug-take-back-day-saturday-april

2. Prescription drug statistics. SingleCare. February 17, 2026. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/prescription-drug-statistics/

3. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Get Smart About Drugs. April 1, 2026. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/2026-national-take-back-day

4. How to safely dispose of your old medications. Drugs.com. April 17, 2026. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://www.drugs.com/article/medication-disposal.html

5. Opioids: Drug Take Back Day. Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Last reviewed April 15, 2026. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/drug-take-back-day.html

6. Walgreens encourages participation in National Prescription Drug Take‑Back Day. News release. Walgreens. April 21, 2026. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://corporate.walgreens.com/news-and-stories/press-releases/pharmacy-healthcare/national-prescription-drug-takeback-day/

7. Drug disposal: FDA's flush list for certain medicines. FDA. Last reviewed October 31, 2024. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-fdas-flush-list-certain-medicines

8. The limited role of the Food and Drug Administration’s flush list. Environmental Protection Agency. Last updated September 18, 2025. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/household-medication-disposal/limited-role-food-and-drug-administrations-flush-list

9. Disposal of unused medicines: what you should know. FDA. Last reviewed October 31, 2024. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/safe-disposal-medicines/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know

10. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day returns April 25, 2026. Independent Pharmacy Cooperative. April 16, 2026. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://www.ipcrx.com/pharmacy-blog/news/national-prescription-drug-take-back-day-returns-april-25-2026/