How to Dispose of an EpiPen

If you have an EpiPen auto-injector to treat severe allergies, you need to dispose of it properly–even if you haven't used it yet. EpiPens that are simply tossed in with the household trash can injure people or household pets. While laws for disposing of EpiPens differ significantly depending on where you live, your best recourse typically is to take a used or expired EpiPen back to the healthcare provider who prescribed it to you. They will know how to dispose of it properly.[1]

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Used EpiPens

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    Call emergency services immediately after using an EpiPen. A severe allergic reaction is considered a medical emergency. If you are close to a hospital and have someone with you who can drive, head to the emergency room as soon as possible. Otherwise, call 911 or your local emergency number to get an ambulance to take you there.[2]
    • Even if the EpiPen seems to be working and you feel okay, you still need to seek immediate medical attention. You may have another reaction or need additional medication or treatment.
    • If you call the emergency number, tell the operator exactly what you were exposed to and how long after exposure you used your EpiPen. If there is a risk of additional exposure, let them know about that as well. It will help emergency responders know what to do when they get to you.
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    Place the used EpiPen back in its container and label it clearly. EpiPens have built-in needle covers that will shield the needle after it is used. However, you still need to be careful with it. Return it to the box, if you still have that. On the outside of the box, write the date and time that you administered the EpiPen.[3]
    • If you don't have the original packaging for your EpiPen, write the time down on the outside of the tube with a permanent marker.
    • Do not dispose of your used EpiPen until you've received medical attention. Keep it with you so you can give it to the medical professionals who treat you.
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    Give the used auto-injector to emergency responders. Emergency responders or emergency room personnel need to know when you used the auto-injector and exactly how much medicine was delivered. This information can help them determine whether you might need another dose.[4]
    • Medical personnel know how to dispose of EpiPens properly. Typically, after the amount of medication and time are noted, they will dispose of it with the rest of the medical waste.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Expired EpiPens

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    Look at the EpiPen device to find the expiration date. The expiration date on the original box may be different than the expiration date on the device itself. If the two dates are different, the one on the device will generally be more accurate than the one on the box.[5]
    • If you can't find the expiration date on the device, use the date on the box as a reference. However, it's a good idea to take the EpiPen to a pharmacist and ask them if they can figure out the expiration date.
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    Replace your EpiPen before its expiration date. If you live in a country that requires a prescription for an EpiPen, get your prescription refilled at least 30 days before your EpiPen expires. That way you'll know for sure that you always have a good EpiPen available.[6]
    • You may want to call ahead to your usual pharmacy and make sure they have EpiPens available. If they are out and it's close to the expiration date for your old EpiPen, you may need to check at a different pharmacy.
    • Ask the pharmacist to give you an EpiPen with the latest possible expiration date, so it will last longer.
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    Save your expired EpiPen as a backup only if absolutely necessary. An expired EpiPen may still contain enough active medication to save a life up to 2 years after the expiration date on the device. While you shouldn't rely on an expired EpiPen exclusively, you may want to keep it as a backup for a few months after the expiration date.[7]
    • Do not attempt to use an EpiPen if the liquid inside is discolored or if there are solid particles in the liquid. This is a sign that the medication has destabilized and injection could be dangerous. You can view the liquid through the window on the side of your EpiPen. It is surrounded by a yellow box with the words "Replace if solution is discolored."
    • An expired EpiPen may not have enough medication to stop a severe allergic reaction. If all you have is an expired EpiPen, call the emergency number and state specifically that you used an expired EpiPen. Do not attempt to inject yourself again, even if you find an EpiPen that is still good. You don't want to risk an overdose.
    • Set a reminder on your computer, phone, or other electronic device so you'll know when your EpiPen will soon expire and can replace it. Do not rely exclusively on an expired EpiPen.
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    Take your expired EpiPen to your doctor or pharmacist. Even though they're covered with safety caps, you still shouldn't simply toss an expired EpiPen in with your regular household garbage. If you're going to get a new EpiPen, take your old one with you and give it to the pharmacist. They'll know how to dispose of it.[8]
    • You can also give your expired EpiPen to your healthcare provider when they renew your prescription if you're not planning on keeping it to use as a backup.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Proper Storage

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    Keep your EpiPen in a dry, dark place. To keep the medication safe and stable, your EpiPen should not be exposed to sunlight or extreme moisture. If you feel more comfortable carrying your EpiPen with you, return it to a dry, dark place as soon as you get home.[9]
    • Because of the humidity, don't keep your EpiPen in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.
    • If you take your EpiPen to work, invest in a storage case or locker specifically designed to maintain the proper environment. You can find these at major online retailers. Your doctor may also have a recommendation.
    • If your child has an EpiPen for school, give it to the school nurse rather than letting your child keep it with them. School nurses have special lockers where EpiPens can be kept at the proper humidity levels.
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    Avoid exposing your EpiPen to extremely hot or cold temperatures. An EpiPen in its original carrier tube should be kept at room temperature, preferably between 68 and 77 °F (20 and 25 °C). While they can tolerate temperatures from 59 to 86 °F (15 to 30 °C), exposure at the extreme ends of that range should be brief.[10]
    • If you're outdoors for an extended period of time, you might consider using a commercial carrier to keep your EpiPen in. These carriers are designed to keep your EpiPen cool and can be purchased online. Ask your healthcare provider for recommendations.
    • While it may seem convenient to keep your EpiPen in a car glovebox, this is not recommended because of the extreme temperature changes. Only do this if you live in a relatively mild climate where temperatures do not fluctuate and humidity isn't extreme.
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    Pack your EpiPen in your carry-on when flying. If you're traveling by air and need to take your EpiPen with you, tell flight and security personnel that you have it in your carry-on luggage. Never pack your EpiPen in a checked bag. The baggage compartment is not pressurized and your EpiPen could burst.[11]
    • If you are traveling to a country where EpiPens are only available with a prescription, you may need a letter from your doctor explaining that the EpiPen is a medical necessity. Contact your country's passport agency in advance of your trip to find out what is required.
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    Leave the blue safety release cap on until you need to use your EpiPen. EpiPens have a blue safety release cap that protects against accidental injection. If you remove the cap, your EpiPen could accidentally release. The cap also ensures that the needle is sterile.[12]
    • If the safety release cap comes off but the EpiPen has not been used, you can replace the cap. Return the unit to its carrier tube with the safety release end facing towards the opening. Gently press the cap back onto the end, being careful to keep your fingers clear of either end.[13]
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    We are a daycare that has a lot of leftover EpiPens that are expired. How can I dispose of them?
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Answer
    Take your expired EpiPens to a doctor’s office, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. You can find a drop-off location near you at SafeNeedleDisposal.org. Also, when filling an EpiPen prescription, ask the pharmacist to give you auto-injectors with the latest expiration date.
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Warnings

  • An EpiPen is not a replacement for medical treatment. Seek medical assistance immediately after using an EpiPen, even if the medicine seems to be working and you feel fine. You may have a second reaction later.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/drugs/expired-epipens-what-you-need-to-know/
  2. ↑ https://www.med.unc.edu/pediatrics/cccp/wp-content/uploads/sites/1156/gravity_forms/1-188e5632d99d8f770a150fd48b72fb22/2021/02/How_to_Use_EpiPen_Autoinjector.pdf
  3. ↑ https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/adrenaline-autoinjector-storage-expiry-and-disposal
  4. ↑ https://www.med.unc.edu/pediatrics/cccp/wp-content/uploads/sites/1156/gravity_forms/1-188e5632d99d8f770a150fd48b72fb22/2021/02/How_to_Use_EpiPen_Autoinjector.pdf
  5. ↑ https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/adrenaline-autoinjector-storage-expiry-and-disposal
  6. ↑ https://www.med.unc.edu/pediatrics/cccp/wp-content/uploads/sites/1156/gravity_forms/1-188e5632d99d8f770a150fd48b72fb22/2021/02/How_to_Use_EpiPen_Autoinjector.pdf
  7. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/drugs/expired-epipens-what-you-need-to-know/
  8. ↑ https://howtodispose.info/dispose-epipen/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dispose-epipen
  9. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/drugs/expired-epipens-what-you-need-to-know/
  1. ↑ https://www.epipen.com/hcp/about-epipen-and-generic/safety-and-storage
  2. ↑ https://www.epipen.ca/faq
  3. ↑ https://www.epipen.com/hcp/about-epipen-and-generic/safety-and-storage
  4. ↑ https://www.epipen.ca/faq

About This Article

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Co-authored by:
Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
This article was co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. This article has been viewed 35,648 times.
11 votes - 36%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: July 4, 2022
Views: 35,648
Categories: Household Waste Disposal | Medicines and Drugs

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

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