5 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0
The FDA says flushing
unused opioids down the
toilet is acceptable only
as an option of last
resort. One intriguing in-
home, environmentally
friendly disposal alterna-
tive: charcoal pouches.
When patients place opi-
oids in the bag and add
water, the charcoal inside
binds to the pills, render-
ing them unusable.
"We've done some studies on the use of pouches, and they
definitely improve safe disposal," says Chad Brummett, MD,
director of the division of pain research and director of clinical
research in the department of anesthesiology at Michigan
Medicine University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and co-director of
the Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (OPEN).
"I'm a big proponent of them."
His research found that the pouches doubled compliance with
proper disposal directives by serving as a physical reminder to
waste unused opioids in addition to the verbal and printed educa-
tion patients received during their care. The pouches, which cost
a few dollars each, are biodegradable and can be disposed of in
regular trash.
— Joe Paone
Pouches Promote Safe Disposal
• DON'T FLUSH Charcoal pouches deactivate opioids, making them
suitable to toss in household trash.
AT-HOME SOLUTION
