The invention relates to a method for recovering medicaments or active ingredients from preparations, and from the precursors or wastes thereof, especially in the form of a flat starting material. The invention uses film provided with an adhesive, and a material containing an active ingredient. The starting material is produced with surface areas preferably ranging between 5 and 50 cm2. The starting material comprising a basic active ingredient is introduced into an aqueous extraction liquid having a pH range between 7 and 1, and the starting material comprising an acidic active ingredient is introduced into an aqueous extraction liquid having a pH range between 7 and 13. The extraction liquid is permitted to act until the supporting film detaches from the laminate or until the active ingredient detaches from the supporting film during which a solution containing active ingredients is formed. The extracted medicament or active ingredient is isolated by precipitating it out of the solution containing active ingredients.