eddiemcm

Does anyone know if it is okay to do this?I need 4 mg a day.
It's much cheaper to buy 8 mg pills and cut them in half.
Incredibly,my doctor doesn't know if this is allowable.
I've always thought it was okay to cut any pill that's not
time released.
Any light on the subject will be appreciated
Eddie

Terrie

Hi Eddie! Welcome to the Forums!

Here are the tablets that can be split:

Commonly Asked Questions about
Tablet Splitting

Tablet splitting is when a higher strength tablet is cut in half to give your prescribed dose of medication. For example,
your doctor prescribes Lipitor 10 mg tablets. You could talk to your doctor and pharmacist about getting Lipitor 20 mg
tablets and then cutting them in half to get your 10 mg dose. This allows you to get the same dose by purchasing fewer
tablets. Tablet splitting programs have been successfully used in many healthcare plans across the country.
What are the benefits of tablet splitting?
As you know, the costs of medications
have risen sharply in the past few years.

Tablet splitting may allow you, your health
plan, and your employer to all save money
on your prescription. Often, all strengths of
one medication are similar in price.
Splitting tablets can lower the cost per day
of your medications by 40% to 50%! It also
may make your medicine smaller and
easier to swallow.
Can all my medications be split in half?

No. Some medications are specially
designed so that they may not work
properly if they are split in half, such as
capsules, medications with special coatings, and time-release products. Some tablets can be split even if they do not
have a line to break the tablet in half. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to help you determine if your medications
can be split in half. We have compiled a list of brand and generic medications that could potentially be split for your
information. Medications that are marked with an asterisk (*) may be scored.

How do I split my tablets in half?

There are many different ways to split tablets in half. One way is to purchase a tablet splitter from your local pharmacy
(they usually cost less than $10). These tablet splitters are safe and easy to use. All you need to do is place the tablet in
the proper place and then when the splitter is closed a steel blade cuts the tablet in half. Some tablets are scored and
have a line dividing the dose in half and may be able to be snapped in half using your fingers. Other alternatives may be
available - Ask your pharmacist for more information.

Is it safe to split my medications
in half?

Tablet splitting is generally safe
when done on appropriate
medications. As previously
mentioned, not all medications can
be split. When tablet splitting is
done correctly on appropriate
medications, you will receive your
prescribed dose with no adverse
effects.

BRAND NAME MEDICATIONS THAT MAY BE SPLIT

Accupril* Aceon* Actos Amaryl*
Ambien Atacand Augmentin* Avandia
Avapro Bextra Cefzil Celexa*
Cipro Clarinex Claritin Coreg
Coumadin* Cozaar Depakote Digitek
Dilantin tablets Diovan HCT Endocet* Evista
Glucovance Hyzaar Klor-Con M 20* Lanoxin*
Levaquin Levoxyl* Lipitor Monopril
Neurontin tablets Norvasc Nystatin Paxil*
Plavix Pravachol Premarin Prevacid tablets
Prinivil* Remeron* Risperdal Seroquel
Serzone Singulair Skelaxin* Synthroid*
Topamax Toprol XL* Tricor Ultram*
Univasc* Valtrex* Viagra Vioxx
Zestoretic Zestril* Zithromax Zocor
Zoloft* Zyprexa Zyrtec

GENERIC MEDICATIONS THAT MAY BE SPLIT

Acyclovir tabs* APAP/codeine Albuterol tabs Allopurinol*
Alprazolam* Amitriptyline Amoxicillin tablets* Amoxicillin/clav*
Aspirin Atenolol* Bumetidine Buspirone*
Captopril* Carbidopa/levodopa* Carisoprodol Cephalexin tablets*
Clonazepam* Clonidine* Cyclobenzaprine Diazepam*
Diclofenac Diltiazem tablets* Doxazosin* Doxycyline tablets
Enalapril* Estradiol* Estropipate Famotidine
Fluoxetine tablets* Folic acid* Furosemide* Gemfibrozil*
Glipizide Glyburide* Hydrochlorothiazide* Hydrocodone/APAP tabs
Hydroxyzine tablets Ibuprofen Isosorbide mononitrate* Labetalol
Lisinopril* Lorazepam* Lovastatin Meclizine*
Medroxyprogesterone* Metformin* Methylprednisolone* Metoclopramide*
Metronidazole Minocycline tablets Metoprolol* Nadolol
Naproxen* Oxycodone/APAP Penicillin VK* Potassium Chloride*
Prednisone* Promethazine* Propoxyphene N/APAP Propranolol*
Ranitidine Spironolactone* Temazepam tablets Terazosin
Tetracycline tablets Tramadol Trazodone* Triamterene/HCTZ*
Trimethoprim/SMZ* Verapamil* Warfarin*

Terrie

Sorry, as you can see Avandia is not marked with an asterisk(*).
That means it cannot be split.

eddiemcm

Terrie
Thanks for the reply.
A little confused here.
Avandia is listed under "tablets that may be split".
Asterisk means that the Avandia tablet is not scored.
Am I correct?
Eddie

Terrie

Okay Smart Man, it was early in the morning for me.
I think you are correct. ...No, marked with the asterisk
says it may be scored. But if it's scored that means for
sure it can be split. Yup, you're right. Good Man.

*Terrie*

eddiemcm

Terrie
Again,thanks for the information.
Early in the morning is a tough time to assimulate anything-I sometimes spill my coffee in the morning.
I read your information at about 9PM after a couple of glasses
of Merlot-enough said.
Cheers
Eddie

Terrie

Good Morning Eddie: It's nice to see you. You're Welcome.

Actually, I tried Merlot at a Friend's gathering recently. It was
quite nice. On that note-I have a question for you which totally
hijacks this thread:

I have heard several times from Diabetics that they have a glass
of wine or a shot of liquor before they go to bed. They say this
helps with their dreadful DP. I don't know if this is true(and No, I
am not recommending it). I do think it could work with some People
but not with every Diabetic since we are all different. As you know,
what works for one may not work for another. It made me wonder
if 1 glass would be enough to distract the liver from releasing its normal amount of glucose.

I noticed you had your wine at about 9 pm, so I was curious if you
had noticed, if it did your DP any favours when you did your a.m.
test? Thanks! Otherwise...

I hope that you are doing Fine in Houston and watch that coffee
around the keyboard.

eddiemcm

Terrie
I don't mind being hijacked today.
I've never noticed wine affecting my 5AM glucose reading.
Every morning at 1AM,I split a 500mg Metformin in half and
chase it down with some water.Does wonders for the 5AM
reading-usually in normal range.Metformin,among other
things,is supposed to decrease the amount of glucose
manufactured by the liver.
Cheers
Eddie

Terrie

Hi There Eddie:

Aw! I guess you are not one of the Special Select.
As far as the drink at night, I think it does work for the
"Select Few".
Or perhaps it's because you have your body and treatment
working together as a well-oiled machine. That's what it
looks like from here. If so, Way to go.

Well, there are the points where Metformin doesn't work for
everyone, some People forget (or) don't want to take their
drug(s) because of the unpleasant side efects. Or
don't understand how to synchronize the necessary elements
of Diabetes. It usually takes the Person's own experience,
knowledge, discipline, logic, tinkering and gut-feeling to get it
totally right for them. The Drs. usually do their Best but really
don't get it in the long run. It's mainly up to each dxd. Diabetic.
They can catch and keep pointers along the way but sadly the
"fix" is not written in any book like how to fix a toaster.

Hey Eddie, thanks for posting. It's Nice to talk to someone here
that speaks Diabetes.

*Terrie*