Q: Is it safe to spilt pills to save money?
A: Many people often split medications to save money. Some insurers actually encourage their members to do so. However, only certain medications can be split. A good rule of thumb is that if there is a score (line) on the tablet, it can be assumed that the dose may be broken or split. Prescriptions also contains extra labeling, "Do not crush/chew" for those doses that should not be split. Always look for these advisory labels. Also, you can check with the dispensing pharmacist about splitting each medication.
Please note that when doses are split, each dose delivered may not be consistent. Not all tablets break/split into two equal parts. Not all broken tablets can be dosed accurately, because broken tablets may crumble before they can be taken and a portion of the dose is lost. So, if a medication requires a very precise dosage, patients may want to consider getting the dosage prescribed in the full tablet. When a broken or split tablet is being used, just monitor how the medication works and keep the pharmacist and prescriber informed.
Lynn Harrelson is a pharmacist who specializes in medication and prescription management for seniors.
Read her full biography