Splitting Pills

[McMouse]

I have been prescribed a 12.5 mg dose but the tablet is only packaged in 25 mg form. Pharmacist advised me to cut each one in half. It has always been my understanding that tablets should not be split unless they have been pre-scored during manufacture because the active ingredients may not be evenly distributed. These pills are not scored. Will check with GP, but meanwhile do any of you know about this stuff?

[bednobs]

unless they are slow realease, or have a special coating it'll be ok

[Prudie]

I'd check back with the pharmacist and ask them to split them for you, they have the correct tool.
I had to do this with some cat pills and I lost half them trying to do it with a knife.

[Robinia]

If you find out for sure it's ok and will be doing for some time you can buy a little pill cutter for about £1.50

[lcg]

it is fine to split pills in half as long as they are not coated.....just make sure you cut them to the right size. i have a pill cutter which is easier.....no need to check with your gp. what pills are they?

[Sqad]

Odd.......dr prescribed 12.5 mgms and they are only packed in25mgms?what are they?

[WELSHYORKIE]

Pill cutter 1.49 in asda

[lcg]

squad....might be a starting dose of something dear.....x

[McMouse]

Sqad they are spirolactone which is a diuretic.

[Sqad]

OK...25mgms is the smallest tablet.

Use a pill cutter....not very accurate but good enough for a diuretic.

[McMouse]

Have a pill cutter. It's my eyesight that's not very accurate.

[lcg]

btw....the tinier the pill, the more important it will be to have a cutter (for the sake of having an accurate dose) x

[maggiebee]

Prudie, you're soooo brave - you actually tried to give a cat a pill. Have the claw marks healed yet?

[Prudie]

Maggie it was soooo stressful, did the wrap in towel thing, all sorts never got her to take it ever by hand. I ended up buying Tesco value chicken legs, cooking them and hiding them in the meat - did that for 6 months until sadly she passed on.

[maggiebee]

Sorry to hear of her passing Prudie, all my cats have gone one by one. They are just family. Maybe one of these days I'll have another but not just yet.

[Prudie]

Thanks Maggie, she was in fact Prudie so her name lives on. I've actually now got 2 young kittens who have brought much fun but a host of new worries. I just can't help loving cats!