Out With Old, In With New — Medications

How old is too old when it comes to the medications you have?

The answer, simply put, is when their expiration dates have come and gone, The Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay told co-anchor Harry Smith on Tuesday.

"You should do it a couple times a year, but you must do it once a year," Senay said. "The end of the year is a great time to do that. Start fresh, take out the old stuff. Get rid of stuff you're not taking anymore that's beyond its expiration date. Start fresh for the new year."

That applies to both prescription and over-the-counter medications, Senay pointed out.

Prescription drugs, in particular, need attention. Senay explained: "Doctors write these with a specific timeframe in mind, most often. People who are on chronic medication who should be taking it on a daily basis or in some routine way, these medications are not intended to be sitting around. So, if it's a prescription medication, particularly something like antibiotics, which I know lots and lots of people squirrel away for that day when they think they might need it, that's a mistake," because they're supposed to be taken for a full-term and once done, should be gone.

"Some medications," Senay continued, "like insulin or blood thinners, it's very important those are current and up to date. … If you're not taking it, get rid of it."

No matter how hard some expiration dates may be to read, do so, Senay insisted.

A word of advice: "It's a shame to buy a big bottle and then throw it away. So, if you're not someone who uses over-the-counter prescriptions routinely, buy the smaller bottles; you'll feel less bad throwing it away when it's beyond its expiration date. You'll waste less. Obviously, if it's past its expiration date, get rid of it."

And, when disposing of medications, there's a right way and wrong way.

"A lot of this stuff is not good for the environment," Senay said. "Pouring it down the sink or flushing it down the toilet is not a good idea. Some pharmacies have give-back programs. Not all. If it's a medication and you have a toxic waste site in your area, you can wrap it up and take it to them. If you don't, you should wrap up the bottles, close them with duct tape, put them in a plastic bag and make sure they're in a place children can't get their hands on them, and throw them in the garbage.

"We have medicine cabinets in the bathroom but that's probably not the best place for many medicines. (Keep medications in spots that are) cool, dry and high because you want them away from kids. Most medications, if you have a linen closet or somewhere where it doesn't get hot, warm and moist, like the bathroom (does), that's probably a better place. And keep it away from kids, obviously, at all costs."