The Risks to Keeping Unused Opioids in the Home

A large percentage of prescription opioids aren’t taken for the full duration or amount prescribed; and since drug disposal information isn’t always clear, pills often stay in medicine cabinets indefinitely, leaving vulnerable populations in the home susceptible to overdoses and other risks should they find them and ingest them. Will Becker, MD, and Ben Oldfield, MD, encourage disposing of leftover prescription opioids to reduce the risks involved with having them in the home.

Dr. Becker and Dr. Oldfield worked together at the Yale School of Medicine’s Opioid Reassessment Clinic, treating patients to help improve the safety of their opioid regimens and also improve the quality of their pain management.