[justjeanne1]

Hi Guys and Gals, Dad just went for his check up, and doctor wants to lower his dosage of metaformin by half. Unfortunately, he just got his prescription filled prior to his appt., the pills are physically able to be cut in half, but the doctor didn't know if this would work because it is a "combination" drug. Does anyone have any information on this?

Thanks

Jeanne

 

[Shanny]

Combination of what? If it's regular metformin, it can be cut in half. If it's the extended release version, it can NOT be cut in half.

If it's a combination of drugs, then it should have a different name, like Janumet, Glucovance or something - and it should say on the vial. If it says Glucophage, that's the brand name for metformin.

 

[ett]

What does the pharmacist say ?

--ET

 

[justjeanne1]

Aw,,, great idea.. ETT. I will have him ask the pharmacist.

 

[justjeanne1]

Combination of what? If it's regular metformin, it can be cut in half. If it's the extended release version, it can NOT be cut in half.

If it's a combination of drugs, then it should have a different name, like Janumet, Glucovance or something - and it should say on the vial. If it says Glucophage, that's the brand name for metformin.

Don't know the difference, but I know he takes it morning and evening. I will ask him to check the bottle. His doctor just told him that it was a "combination drug"

Why can one be cut in half and one not?

 

[Shanny]

The extended release tablet has an enteric coating which is what extends the release of the drug. That coating becomes useless if it's broken, like when the tablet is cut in half.

 

[justjeanne1]

Thank you for the information

Jeanne

 

[justjeanne1]

Combination of what? If it's regular metformin, it can be cut in half. If it's the extended release version, it can NOT be cut in half.

If it's a combination of drugs, then it should have a different name, like Janumet, Glucovance or something - and it should say on the vial. If it says Glucophage, that's the brand name for metformin.

Dad is on the glucovance., but the parmacist said he could cut it in half

 

[Shanny]

Thank heaven for good pharmacists!

Keep us posted, Jeanne.

 

[onaughmae]

Dad is on the glucovance., but the parmacist said he could cut it in half

Glucovance is a combo drug of Glyburide and Glucophage (just so you know) I took it for years.