My Family Doctor
A family practitioner for over 25 years, Dr. Hubbard knows the medical world inside and out. Frustrated by managed care and the lack of time doctors were able to spend educating patients, he launched James Hubbard's My Family Doctor: The Magazine That Makes Housecalls, a national magazine written by health care practitioners that is his answer to hurried doctor visits, conflicting medical studies, and complicated treatment options.
Is It Safe to Split Pills?
The FDA says not usually–even when you think the dosage is correct
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a public statement that pill splitting may be hazardous to your health. They advise against the growing practice of asking your doctor for a tablet twice the strength you need, then halving it to make two doses. My Family Doctor has advocated this in the past as a way to save money.
They FDA cites four reasons “why splitting is risky.”
- You might get confused about the correct dose.
- Equal distribution of medicine in split tablets is questionable, even when they have a score down the middle.
- Some tablets crumble, are hard to split, or are too small.
- Not all pills are safe to split, especially time-release capsules or tablets.
Actually, some drugs have been approved by the FDA for splitting, and their package inserts say this. The FDA advises you to talk to your doctor or pharmacist regarding each drug you’re taking.
I agree, and we advise that when we give splitting as an option. I’m not sure how else you’re going to be prescribed twice the strength without talking to the doctor anyway.
Actually, I’ve had patients try to extend their prescription by taking half the dose prescribed to them. Bad idea—and dangerous.
As far as the FDA reasons for not splitting, I would hope no one would try it without the mental faculties to remember to always split. Maybe taping a sticker on the bottle, or writing on the top to “always split” might help, or splitting all tablets immediately after receiving them.
With some medications, such as blood thinners and heart medicine, splitting is not an option. It is very important to take an exact dose of these. Others, though, not so much. Your doctor should know. Of course, it’s a given that time-release tablets or capsules can’t be halved accurately
The only splittable tablets are the uncoated ones with a score down the middle. Buy a pill splitter with a sharp blade for a few dollars.
By James Hubbard, MD, MPH
My Family Doctor Blog
[Originally posted July 22, 2009, James Hubbard’s My Family Doctor Web site.]
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