Expired epipens

Published

I'm totally new at this so pardon the stupid question-how do I get rid of my expired Epipens? I don't have a Sharps container; I filled the last one, mailed it back and didn't receive a replacement. Do pharmacies accept and dispose of them?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

In our community, there are a number of service organizations that do overseas medical mission trips. They accept Epi-pens that are less than 6 months expired.

If you have any that are more than 6 months expired, I would recommend using them in staff training. Discharging an actual Epi-pen into a Tupperware container is a powerful demonstration.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have staff inject oranges with the expired pens. I feels a whole lot different than using a trainer! Sharps containers are inexpensive and can be locked up until full. Then ask your district risk manager how to dispose of the full container. Better yet, ask them to come and pick it up!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I try to make the parents of the children they belong to take them when they expire.:banghead: it doesn't always work out.

My local police department is super about taking my left behind drugs, but wont take anything with a needle - so my collection grows. I also do "live training" with real epipens when i do my delegate training.

Fortunately for me I happened upon a sign in a local pharmacy saying that the local hospital would take them if they were in a sealed container. So now I still try to send them home, but if they get left behind, i save them for training and put into an old Tide bottle to bring to the hospital.

For my other sharps - i have the mail away boxes that i buy from school health - no epipens are allowed in that unless used in an actual emergency

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.

For my other sharps - i have the mail away boxes that i buy from school health - no epipens are allowed in that unless used in an actual emergency

Epi-pens I have used in actual emergency I give to EMS and they dispose of them for me, which is awesome.

I've put expired ones in my sharps box, but then I usually drop off my sharps box at a nearby health center vs mail in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

tbh - i have never had to give epi via epipen (knocking on closest piece of wood) and for that, I am very very happy.

But yes, good point, i'd give it to ems just as i has done with the dozen upon dozens of diastats i've given.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We take ours to the police department,.

Best of luck to you

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment