Metabolized drugs
Metabolized drugs are those which have been administered, and are now being naturally excreted by the body. These drugs remain in varied forms, depending upon their absorption and half-life, however many are still very active long after their excretion into the environment. Generally, the most common metabolized drugs found in the environment are:
· caffeine
· anitdepressants
· anti-siezure medications
· antibiotocs
· acetominophen
· acetylsalicylic acid
· ibuprofen
· naproxen
· carbamazepine
(Boxall, 2004)
These drugs are disposed of down sewer and septic systems via elimination. This is a concern because most sewer systems are not equipped to decontaminate effluent of pharmaceuticals. In
At this time, there are very few recommendations for disposal of these wastes (most of them pertaining to preventing the spread of communicable diseases). In fact, during our research, only one example was found within hospital policies. It pertains to patients who are “undergoing strong chemotherapy, or who have radioactive implants in their reproductive or excretory organs (i.e. prostate, bladder or vagina) [and] will eliminate radioactive agents or noxious chemicals” (Royal Inland Hospital, 2000, p. 157). For these patients, nurses are required to handle excretions with great caution, and are to “ensure that the toilet is flushed twice to remove these substances fully” (Royal Inland Hospital, p. 75).
This is a concern because no resources are implemented to safely decontaminate the urine. As above, the effluent either flows untreated out into large bodies of water, or passes through waste water treatment plants which are unequipped to handle removing these specific substances.
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