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Development of Disposal Systems for Deactivation of Unused/Residual/Expired Medications

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Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this work was to identify deactivation agents and develop a disposal system for unused/ residual/ expired medications.

Methods

Deactivation agents screened included oxidizing agent-sodium percarbonate, hydrolysis agent- sodium carbonate and adsorbants- zeolite and activated carbon. Deactivation studies using these agents were performed on four active pharmaceutical agents (APIs) including ketoprofen, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, metformin hydrochloride and amoxicillin trihydrate. Disposal systems were also designed for deactivation studies on dexamethasone pills, amoxicillin trihydrate capsules and fentanyl transdermal patches (Duragesic®). Briefly, APIs/ dosage forms were allowed to be in close contact with deactivation agents for a specified period of time and percentage decrease in the amount of API from the initial amount was measured.

Results

Sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate were only successful in deactivation of amoxicillin trihydrate API. Adsorption agents resulted in more universal deactivation with activated carbon resulting in efficient deactivation of most APIs and all dosage forms tested. Also adsorption of oral dosage medications on activated carbons was maintained even on dilution and shaking and no desorption was observed.

Conclusions

Deactivation systems containing activated carbon are promising for efficient, safe and environment friendly disposal of unused/residual/expired medications.

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Abbreviations

API(s):

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient(s)

EPA:

Environmental Protection Agency

EUR:

Molasses number specification

FDA:

Food and Drug Administration

GAC:

Granular Activated Carbon

IUPAC:

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry

ONDCP:

Office of National Drug Control Policy

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND DISCLOSURES

This grant was funded by Travanti Pharma, Mendonta Heights, MN.

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Author notes

    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, Georgia, 30341, USA

      Anushree Herwadkar, Neha Singh & Ajay K. Banga

    2. Verde Environmental Technologies Inc., Burnsville, Minnesota, 55337, USA

      Carter Anderson, Andrew Korey & William Fowler

    3. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University , Atlanta, Georgia, 30341, USA

      Ajay K. Banga

    Authors
    1. Anushree Herwadkar
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    2. Neha Singh
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    3. Carter Anderson
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    Corresponding author

    Correspondence to Ajay K. Banga.

    Additional information

    Anushree Herwadkar and Neha Singh contributed equally to this work.

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    Herwadkar, A., Singh, N., Anderson, C. et al. Development of Disposal Systems for Deactivation of Unused/Residual/Expired Medications. Pharm Res 33, 110–124 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-015-1768-1

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-015-1768-1

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