Needle disposal

[CarlG]

I have to take weekly injections and I would bring my supplies with me.

Does anyone know how to dispose of needles/syringes on the camino once used?

Thanks!

 

[Tincatinker]

At any Farmacia, which will have a sharps bin.

 

[SYates]

As @Tincatinker said! also, just in case you don't know that trick for save transport to the pharmacy: Most (removable) needles fit nicely between plonger/piston and cylinder, just in case you lost the cap ;-) Buen Camino, SY

 

[JohnCP43]

SYates' suggestion is right on. Not to belabor the obvious but be sure to place needle in barrel of the syringe hub first so there will not be a possibility of the needle working it' way through the opening to the barrel of the syringe. If the needle is an integral, non-removable,part of the syringe or the barrel is very small then the only way to be safe unless you have an approved syringe disposal container or are next to one when used is to try to very carefully recap it. This is not viewed as a safe practice here in the US. If you stick yourself with your own needle no concern re blood borne pathogens however.

 

[CarlG]

SYates' suggestion is right on. Not to belabor the obvious but be sure to place needle in barrel of the syringe hub first so there will not be a possibility of the needle working it' way through the opening to the barrel of the syringe. If the needle is an integral, non-removable,part of the syringe or the barrel is very small then the only way to be safe unless you have an approved syringe disposal container or are next to one when used is to try to very carefully recap it. This is not viewed as a safe practice here in the US. If you stick yourself with your own needle no concern re blood borne pathogens however.

Hi there,

No worries on the safety of it all as I am a Nurse here in Canada and yes recapping is not suggested! I appreciate all the help and tips.

Thank you!

 

[ebrandt]

I know this is an old thread but... I recently started a medication that requires a daily subcutaneous injection. I use a pen injector -- like an insulin pen. I am inferring from the posts above that as long as I safely store my used needle tips, I can dispose of them at pharmacies along the way. I am planning to use a small hard plastic container (an old pill bottle) for storage along the way rather than a heavier/bulkier travel sharps container. I will clearly mark my container.

Here are my questions -- Will my makeshift sharps container be acceptable or do I need something more official? Also, will I be able to dump my container out and reuse it, or will I have to dispose of the whole container?


As an aside, I have really looked online for the EU/Spanish rules for sharps disposal. Other than finding out that needles are excluded from the SIGRE compact and that pharmacies are the designated disposal sites for medicines and medical waste, I can't find anything!

Thanks in advance!

LizB

 

[Roland49]

As an aside, I have really looked online for the EU/Spanish rules for sharps disposal. Other than finding out that needles are excluded from the SIGRE compact and that pharmacies are the designated disposal sites for medicines and medical waste, I can't find anything!

I used to take migraine-pens. Those pens did fit into a toothbrush-box, even after discharging.
It's a PITA while travelling, try to get a doctor's note or your prescription.

 

[Tincatinker]

Here are my questions -- Will my makeshift sharps container be acceptable or do I need something more official? Also, will I be able to dump my container out and reuse it, or will I have to dispose of the whole container?

Most Farmacia sharps bins will have flip-tops that would enable you to shake-out your container & carry on. But, ain't there always a but, usage will be down to the responsible individual in any given Farmacia.

If your Spanish is as fluent as mine I'd carry a laminated card describing what you are trying to achieve and, a couple of spare containers

 

[mjal]

I know this is an old thread but... I recently started a medication that requires a daily subcutaneous injection. I use a pen injector -- like an insulin pen. I am inferring from the posts above that as long as I safely store my used needle tips, I can dispose of them at pharmacies along the way. I am planning to use a small hard plastic container (an old pill bottle) for storage along the way rather than a heavier/bulkier travel sharps container. I will clearly mark my container.

Here are my questions -- Will my makeshift sharps container be acceptable or do I need something more official? Also, will I be able to dump my container out and reuse it, or will I have to dispose of the whole container?


As an aside, I have really looked online for the EU/Spanish rules for sharps disposal. Other than finding out that needles are excluded from the SIGRE compact and that pharmacies are the designated disposal sites for medicines and medical waste, I can't find anything!

Thanks in advance!

LizB

Are you aware of needle-clipping devices?

"The BD Safe-Clip™ needle clipping and storage device enables you to safely and easily remove insulin syringe and pen needles, retaining them within the clipper.*"

This is aimed at insulin users but might work for your medication. The clipper can store 1,500 used needles...
I wonder if it would "pass" at security if you have no hold baggage?

 

[ebrandt]

Thanks @mjal ! This needle clipper looks great! I am so totally new to taking injections that I’m not aware of half the things out there to help with the process!

I have one question for you. I use a tiny screw on needle that has two points — one that jabs into me and the other, inside the cap but still exposed, that goes up into the injection pen. I don’t see how I would be able to clip the injection pen end of the needle with these clippers. It that necessary? It is recessed into the cap. But I think it could nonetheless prick someone. Do you know what the rules are?

Thanks!

LizB