What drugs can be split?
Asked by: Laila Wiza | Last update: December 10, 2023Score: 5/5 (32 votes)
- Statins, like Crestor, Lipitor, and Pravachol.
- Antidepressants, like Celexa, Paxil, and Zoloft.
- ACE-Inhibitors, like Monopril, Prinivil, Univasc, and Zestril.
- Angiotensin receptor blockers, like Avapro and Cozaar.
What type of medication can be split?
If your tablet has a score line on it, typically it's OK to split it. Extended-release tablets, capsules, and pills with special coatings on the outside usually can't be split or opened. Always check with a pharmacist before splitting any pills.
Can all pills be crushed or divided?
Do not crush your tablets or open capsules unless a Pharmacist or Doctor has advised you that it is safe and appropriate to do so. Instead: Go and see your doctor or nurse who will be able to prescribe your medicine in a form that is more appropriate for you, such as a liquid medication.
Why can't you split pills?
A hard outer coat: Splitting a coated pill can make it harder to swallow and may change the way your body absorbs the medicine. They're extended release: Pills formulated to give you medication slowly throughout the day may lose this capability if split in half.
Can you split acetaminophen?
You can use your fingers to break the tablet along the line, or if desired, you may use a tool such as a pill cutter to help break the tablet in half.
How to Split a Pill in Half | Cut a Pill in Half | Nursing Medication Adminstration
Can I cut ibuprofen in half?
How to take tablets, capsules, granules and liquid. Swallow ibuprofen tablets or capsules whole with a drink of water, milk or juice. Do not chew, break, crush or suck them as this could irritate your mouth or throat.
Can you cut Xanax 0.25 in half?
Make sure to swallow the tablets whole. The tablet is made to slowly release the medication in your body throughout the day. Don't crush, chew, or split them because this could make the medication work differently for you.
What medication can you not split?
- Contraceptives.
- Chemotherapy medications.
- Combination medications that contain more than one active ingredient.
- Blood thinners.
- Anti-seizure medications.
Can you split an Adderall pill in half?
The dose of a single capsule should not be divided. The contents of the entire capsule should be taken, and patients should not take anything less than one capsule per day.
Can pharmacists split pills?
Some pharmacists will split scored tablets, and they can do so more precisely than you, especially if you are not comfortable splitting your own.
What pills can you not crush?
- Designed to be controlled release.
- Coated for protection or taste.
- Dissolvable.
- Liquid-filled gel capsules.
- Hazardous or irritants.
- Intended for a small therapeutic window.
What happens if you crush Tylenol?
For chewable tablets, chew thoroughly before swallowing. Do not crush or chew extended-release tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Swallow the tablets whole.
Can nurses split pills?
Splitting medications may result in dosage errors. Not all medications may be split. The registered nurse needs to determine whether the medication can be safety split to ensure proper dosage.
Why should drugs not be crushed or split?
Drug Irritation
Many drugs have irritant actions and are formulated or coated to minimise the risk to patients. Some medications may cause oesophageal or stomach irritation or ulceration if tablets are crushed or capsules opened (e.g. nitrofurantoin, potassium chloride, alendronate, diclofenac).
Why do people split pills?
You may want to split your pills to save money, make them easier to swallow, or adjust your dosage. But it's best to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you split pills. Most pills are designed to be taken whole and dividing them could mean you don't get the right dose or effect.
Can Zoloft be crushed?
Do not crush or chew the capsules. If you have any questions about how to take the capsule form of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. The liquid form of this medication must be mixed with another liquid before use. Just before taking, carefully measure the dose using the medicine dropper provided.
What medications can not be crushed and why?
Enteric coated medicines
Crushing enteric coatings may result in the drug being released too early, being destroyed by stomach acid, or irritating the stomach lining. Examples: Diclofenac e/c. Naproxen e/c.
Can I split a 10 mg lisinopril?
Split tablets of lisinopril are as effective as whole tablets of the same dose for hypertension (SOR: B, based on small randomized crossover study). Similarly, split tablets of atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin are no less effective for lowering cholesterol (SOR: B, based on retrospective cohort studies).
Can you split amoxicillin in half?
Do not cut, crush or chew this medication. Swallow the tablets whole. Take all of this medication unless your care team tells you to stop it early. Keep taking it even if you think you are better.
Can I cut Ativan in half?
Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Can benzodiazepines be cut in half?
5 The less often a patient takes tablets, the less their day will revolve around their medications. Diazepam is widely available in 2 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg tablets which can be cut in half. The ability to taper using only 1 mg of a less potent benzodiazepine allows for more precision in the taper.
Can you take half a Xanax bar?
Each Xanax bar has 2-milligrams per dose, but when broken in half, becomes 2, 1-milligram pieces of a bar. Smaller doses include 0.5 milligrams and 0.25 milligrams, which is the smallest dose. People who have developed a tolerance to a quarter of a Xanax bar often double their dosage to 2 small quarter-sized squares.
Can you cut extra strength Advil in half?
Extended-release tablets should not be cut or crushed. Examples of these include acetaminophen tablets that are given every 8 hours (e.g., Tylenol Arthritis®) or ibuprofen products that are given every 12 hours (e.g., Advil 12-hour®). Non-chewable tablets come in different strengths.
Can I cut a Tylenol in half for my child?
Tylenol warns on its website against cutting adult doses for children.