Varenicline is a prescription medication used to help people quit smoking. It goes by the brand name Chantix in the U.S. and works by reducing nicotine cravings and blocking the pleasurable effects of smoking. But like many prescription drugs, how you store and get rid of it matters-especially if you have kids, pets, or other medications in the house. Improper storage can make it less effective. Improper disposal can harm the environment or end up in the wrong hands. Here’s exactly how to handle it safely.
How to Store Varenicline Correctly
Varenicline tablets should be kept at room temperature, between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Don’t leave them in the bathroom, even if it’s convenient. Humidity from showers and sinks can break down the medication over time. Same goes for the car dashboard in summer-heat above 86°F (30°C) can cause the active ingredient to degrade.
Keep the bottle tightly closed. The original packaging isn’t just for branding-it’s designed to protect the tablets from light and moisture. If you transfer pills to a pill organizer, make sure it’s clean, dry, and labeled clearly. But don’t store them long-term in the organizer. Stick to the original bottle for storage beyond a few days.
Always keep varenicline out of reach of children and pets. A single accidental dose can be dangerous. Kids don’t need to see it. Pets don’t need to chew it. Store it in a locked cabinet, a high shelf, or a medicine lockbox. The CDC says over 60,000 children under age 6 end up in emergency rooms each year from accidental medication ingestion. Varenicline is no exception.
What to Do If You Stop Taking Varenicline
Many people finish their 12-week course and stop taking varenicline without thinking twice. But leftover pills don’t just vanish. If you quit smoking early, or your doctor changed your plan, you might have unused tablets. Don’t save them for "next time." Varenicline isn’t meant to be reused. Its effectiveness drops after the expiration date, and your body’s needs change over time.
Even if the pills look fine, don’t share them. What worked for you might cause nausea, vivid dreams, or mood changes in someone else. The FDA has issued warnings about varenicline’s potential to trigger depression, agitation, or suicidal thoughts in some users. That risk doesn’t disappear just because you tolerated it well.
How to Dispose of Varenicline Safely
The safest way to get rid of unused varenicline is through a drug take-back program. These are run by pharmacies, hospitals, or local law enforcement. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) holds National Prescription Drug Take Back Days twice a year. You can also find permanent drop boxes at pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, or local police stations.
To find a drop-off location near you, visit the DEA’s website or call your local pharmacy. Most take-back programs accept varenicline tablets without any special prep. Just bring the bottle or pills in a sealed bag. No need to remove labels-pharmacies handle that.
If there’s no take-back option nearby, the FDA says you can dispose of varenicline at home. Here’s how:
- Take the tablets out of the original bottle.
- Mix them with something unappetizing-used coffee grounds, cat litter, or dirt.
- Put the mixture in a sealed plastic bag or container.
- Throw it in your household trash.
Don’t flush varenicline down the toilet unless the label says to. Most medications don’t need flushing, and varenicline isn’t one of them. Flushing can contaminate water supplies. The EPA estimates that 10% of pharmaceuticals in U.S. waterways come from flushing.
Why You Shouldn’t Just Toss It in the Trash
Throwing pills straight into the trash is tempting, but risky. Trash collectors, scavengers, or pets could find them. There are documented cases of teens finding old prescriptions in family medicine cabinets and using them recreationally. Pets have been poisoned by eating leftover nicotine replacement products-varenicline acts similarly in the body.
Even if you think your trash is secure, recycling trucks and landfill workers handle it without gloves. Varenicline doesn’t break down quickly in landfills. It can leach into soil and groundwater over time. Proper disposal isn’t just about safety-it’s about environmental responsibility.
What to Do With the Empty Bottle
After you’ve removed all tablets, you can recycle the plastic bottle. Remove the cap (it’s usually made of a different plastic) and rinse the bottle out. Check your local recycling rules-some areas accept prescription bottles, others don’t. If recycling isn’t an option, toss the clean bottle in the trash.
Don’t reuse the bottle for other meds. Even after cleaning, residue can remain. Cross-contamination can cause dangerous mix-ups, especially for people taking multiple prescriptions.
What Happens If You Accidentally Take an Old Dose
If you or someone else accidentally takes a varenicline tablet that’s been sitting around for months or years, don’t panic-but don’t ignore it either. The drug might be less effective, but it’s still active. Watch for side effects: nausea, trouble sleeping, vivid dreams, dizziness, or changes in mood.
If the person is a child, call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222. For adults, contact your doctor. Even if no symptoms show up, it’s worth checking in. Varenicline’s effects can be delayed, especially in older adults or those with liver issues.
How Long Does Varenicline Last?
Varenicline typically has a shelf life of two to three years from the manufacturing date. The expiration date on the bottle is the last day the manufacturer guarantees full potency and safety. After that, it doesn’t suddenly turn toxic-but it may not work as well.
Don’t rely on how the pills look. If they’re discolored, cracked, or smell odd, throw them away. Even if they’re within the expiration window, if they’ve been exposed to heat or moisture, their effectiveness is questionable.
When to Talk to Your Pharmacist
If you’re unsure how to store or dispose of your varenicline, ask your pharmacist. They’re trained in medication safety and can give you printed disposal instructions. Many pharmacies offer free disposal bags or mail-back envelopes for unused meds.
Pharmacists also keep track of your prescription history. If you’re considering restarting varenicline after stopping, they can warn you about risks based on your medical record. They’re your best resource for personalized advice-not Google, not friends, not old bottle labels.
Final Reminder: This Isn’t Just About Pills
Properly storing and disposing of varenicline isn’t a chore-it’s part of quitting smoking for good. It protects your family, your community, and your health. Every pill you dispose of safely is one less chance for harm. Every bottle stored right is one less risk of accidental overdose.
When you take the time to do this right, you’re not just following rules. You’re showing respect-for your body, for others, and for the effort it took to quit smoking in the first place.
Can I flush varenicline down the toilet?
No, you should not flush varenicline unless the label specifically says to. Flushing medications can pollute water systems. The FDA recommends mixing unused varenicline with an unappealing substance like coffee grounds or cat litter, sealing it in a bag, and throwing it in the trash instead.
How long can I keep varenicline after opening the bottle?
Varenicline remains effective until the expiration date printed on the bottle, usually two to three years from manufacture. Store it properly-at room temperature, away from moisture and heat-to ensure it lasts the full shelf life. Don’t use it after the expiration date, even if it looks fine.
What if my child accidentally swallows a varenicline tablet?
Call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222. Varenicline can cause serious side effects in children, including vomiting, drowsiness, rapid heartbeat, or seizures. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Get help right away.
Can I give my leftover varenicline to a friend who wants to quit smoking?
No. Varenicline is a prescription medication meant for the person it was prescribed to. Giving it to someone else is illegal and dangerous. Side effects like mood changes, depression, or suicidal thoughts can vary greatly between individuals. Never share prescription drugs.
Where can I find a drug take-back location near me?
Check the DEA’s website for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events or permanent collection sites. Many pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens have drop boxes in their lobbies. You can also call your local police station or pharmacist-they often know the closest options.
9 Comments
Kat Sal
Just finished my 12-week course and tossed the leftovers at my local Walgreens drop box today. So simple. No drama. No guilt. Just done.
Feels good to know I didn’t leave anything lying around for my nephew to find.
Neil Mason
Man I never thought about how the bottle itself is a hazard
Used to reuse mine for vitamins until my aunt nearly swallowed my old blood pressure pills
Now I rinse and recycle everything
Also side note: cat litter works way better than coffee grounds for masking the smell
Trust me I’ve tested both
Olan Kinsella
Let’s be real this whole thing is just capitalism in disguise
You’re told to store it like it’s nuclear material then fined if you don’t dispose of it through a $12 pharmacy program
Meanwhile Big Pharma profits from the fear they created
Why can’t we just burn it like we do with old tires
Or better yet why do we even need this drug in the first place
Quit smoking with willpower not chemicals
But hey I’m just a guy who quit cold turkey in 1998 with nothing but a pack of gum and a grudge
Kika Armata
How disappointing that the average person still doesn’t understand the ecological implications of pharmaceutical waste
Did you know varenicline has been detected in fish liver samples in the Great Lakes at concentrations above 0.3 ng/L?
It’s not just about flushing-it’s about systemic pharmaceutical pollution exacerbated by lazy disposal habits
And yet here we are, people mixing pills with coffee grounds like it’s a DIY compost experiment
Have you even read the EPA’s 2023 report on emerging contaminants?
Or are you too busy scrolling through TikTok tutorials on how to ‘safely’ toss your meds in the trash
It’s not rocket science but apparently it’s beyond the cognitive capacity of most
Rebecca Breslin
PSA: if you’re still storing meds in the bathroom cabinet you’re basically running a biohazard lab
I found my mom’s 2018 varenicline bottle next to her shampoo-moldy, sticky, and the cap was half-melted from the steam
She swore it was still good
It wasn’t
We threw it out and she cried
Then she called the pharmacy and got a free disposal bag
Lesson learned
Lock it up or lose it
Kierstead January
Why are we even talking about this like it’s a national emergency
It’s one pill
One tiny little pill
People die from falling down stairs or eating bad sushi
But varenicline? The drug that helps you quit smoking?
It’s not poison
It’s not a weapon
It’s just a medicine
Stop gaslighting people into thinking their leftover pills are going to destroy the planet
Next they’ll tell us to bury our Advil in a sacred ritual
Imogen Levermore
you know what they dont tell you… the DEA take-back programs are just surveillance ops
they scan your bottle and log your name
they’re building a database of people who tried to quit
then they sell it to insurers
or worse… to the tobacco lobby
that’s why they push the ‘safe disposal’ narrative
so you think you’re being responsible but really you’re just feeding the machine
also… the coffee grounds trick? fake news
it’s all just distraction
the real solution is to ban varenicline entirely
it’s just another way to monetize addiction
✌️
Chris Dockter
Look I quit smoking with nicotine patches
never even touched varenicline
but I read this whole thing because I like drama
and honestly the part about kids swallowing it made me sick
my cousin’s kid ate half a bottle of his dad’s blood pressure meds last year
ended up in a coma
so yeah maybe this stuff matters
but also why is everyone so scared of a little plastic bottle
just throw it away
no one’s gonna dig through your trash
and if they do they deserve what they get
Alexa Ara
Thank you for this. I’m two weeks into quitting and had no idea how to handle leftovers. I just tossed the bottle in the drawer thinking ‘I might need it again.’ Now I’m taking it to the pharmacy tomorrow. Small steps. Big wins. You got this.