From Stillwater-Ponca City (OK) Ostomy Outlook May 2000:

Keep a Clean Medicine Chest

It's a good idea to clean house in your medicine chest once a year, according to St. Luke's Pharmacy Director. Medicines that are outdated or deteriorated should be disposed of properly, which means flushing them down the toilet after they have been removed from their packaging.

1. Remove and throw away all medicines which have passed their expiration date. Some deteriorated medicines can be dangerous.

2. Throw away all leftover antibiotics. Generally speaking, there shouldn't be any leftover antibiotics because, in most cases, every bit should be taken as directed.

3. Throw away all aspirin which smells like vinegar.

4. Throw out any medicines you don't recognize and any that aren't clearly labeled.

5. Throw away eye drops which aren't clear and any creams which have discolored.

6. Throw out any drugs you haven't used in the past year unless they are for familiar, recurrent conditions. But if the expiration date has passed, throw them out anyway.

Medicines should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place and one that can be locked if there are small children in the house.