Medication safety
Used Needles and Pens: Make a Sharps Disposal Plan
If your treatment uses needles or a device containing a needle, arrange disposal before the first dose. A safe container protects you, household members, sanitation workers, and pets. Disposal rules differ by community, so check the local instructions as well as the product guide.
What to do next
- Place used needles and other sharps into an appropriate sharps container immediately after use.
- Do not leave loose sharps in household trash or recycling, and never flush them.
- Keep the container upright, out of reach of children and pets, and close it before it becomes overfilled.
- Use the community’s approved drop-off, collection, or mail-back option when the container is ready for disposal.
When to contact your care team
Do not bend, break, or handle a used needle unnecessarily. If someone is stuck by a used needle, wash the area and seek prompt medical advice. Ask the pharmacist which parts of your particular injection device belong in the sharps container.
Put it into practice
A travel plan should include both the unused supplies and a safe place for used ones. Do not assume a hotel or airport will accept your container. Ask about a suitable travel container and disposal route before leaving, and keep the instructions with your medicine supplies.
Notes for your next visit
Write these in your own notes or on a printed copy. Bring them to your follow-up.
- Container location:
- Local disposal service and its requirements:
- What I will use while traveling:
Sources and further reading
General education for adults. Follow your clinician’s individual plan and the current instructions for your prescribed product. This handout is not a complete medication guide. If instructions conflict, ask your clinician or pharmacist to clarify. For a medical emergency, call 911.