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. 2016 Nov 7;8(4):31.
doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics8040031.

Activated Carbon-Based System for the Disposal of Psychoactive Medications

Yang Song  1 , Mahima Manian  2 , William Fowler  3 , Andrew Korey  4 , Ajay Kumar Banga  5
Affiliations

Activated Carbon-Based System for the Disposal of Psychoactive Medications

Yang Song et al. Pharmaceutics. .

Abstract

The misuse and improper disposal of psychoactive medications is a major safety and environmental concern. Hence, the proper disposal of these medications is critically important. A drug deactivation system which contains activated carbon offers a unique disposal method. In the present study, deactivation efficiency of this system was tested by using three model psychoactive drugs. HPLC validation was performed for each drug to ensure that the analytical method employed was suitable for its intended use. The method was found to be specific, accurate and precise for analyzing the drugs. The extent and rate of deactivation of the drugs was determined at several time points. After 28 days in the presence of activated carbon, the extent of leaching out of the drugs was evaluated. Deactivation started immediately after addition of the medications into the disposal pouches. Within 8 h, around 47%, 70% and 97% of diazepam, lorazepam and buprenorphine were adsorbed by the activated carbon, respectively. By the end of 28 days, over 99% of all drugs were deactivated. The desorption/leaching study showed that less than 1% of the active ingredients leached out from the activated carbon. Thus, this deactivation system can be successfully used for the disposal of psychoactive medications.

Keywords: activated carbon; adsorption; buprenorphine; deactivation; desorption; diazepam; lorazepam; psychoactive.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of deactivation study of psychoactive medications. S1: Medications were added to the deactivation pouches; S2: 50 mL warm tap water was added to each pouch; S3: Pouches were stored upright and undisturbed at room temperature; S4: Samples were collected at different time points and analyzed by HPLC.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic representation of desorption study of psychoactive medications. S5: On the 28th day, contents of each pouch were transferred into container and distilled water was added; S6: Samples were shaken and then stored upright, undisturbed at room temperature for 23 h; S7: Samples were collected on 29th day; S8: Water was replaced with 30% ethanol; S9: Samples were shaken and stored undisturbed at room temperature for an additional 23 h; S10: Samples were collected on the 30th day and all samples were analyzed by HPLC.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Linearity of HPLC method for analysis of lorazepam.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Linearity of HPLC method for analysis of buprenorphine.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Linearity of HPLC method for analysis of diazepam.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Representative chromatograms of the lorazepam drug sample.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Representative chromatograms of the buprenorphine drug sample.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Representative chromatograms of the diazepam drug sample.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Deactivation profile of diazepam, buprenorphine and lorazepam.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Desorption study in water.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Desorption study in 30% ethanol.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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