Cutting pills in half

[dreamintwilight]

Alright, so I just took my first dose of Imuran, but have a question maybe someone could offer tips on.

I'm supposed to be taking 75 mg and the pills come in 50 mg tablets, so I end up having to take 1.5 tablets. So, I used a butter knife to cut a pill using the line marked down the center. Problem is, one half of the tablet completely crushed into powdery pieces.

So, any tips on cutting tablets in half without compromising the other half? Should I use a knife with a skinnier, sharper blade? I really don't want to waste half of a tablet every day.

Thanks for your help!

 

[InkyStinky]

I got a pill-splitter from walgreens (it was near the pharmacy next to the pill cases and such) - I always had the same problem with any knife I tried to use. I think the pill-splitter was around $5, and it still works after several mths of use.

 

[Lisa]

Have you tried just using your hands (fingers) to break the pills? That is what I would usually do.....grip between thumb and side of forefinger and snap.....if one side does crumble, at least you hae it in your hand still.....and you don't have to worry about any pieces going 'ping' off into the room...

 

[dreamintwilight]

Hmm, pill splitter! I didn't know those existed! I'll have to get one of those.

Lisa - I suppose I could have tried using my hands. The pills are kinda small though. Might be hard to ge a good grip on them. I mean I have tiny hands, but I don't know, haha.

I have 3 kitties...last thing I need is for my toxic pills to go "ping" haha!

 

[InkyStinky]

Hmm, pill splitter! I didn't know those existed!

Yeah, when I was typing my response I thought, "boy, it's really sad that I know this stuff"!!!!:ytongue:

Anyway, the pill-splitter has a really sharp razor blade in it, but when it's open it's covered by a guard so I don't slice up my fingers. And because you close it to cut the pill it keeps both halves inside the case, which is also a good thing

 

[ataloss]

I would definitely invest in a pill cutter like Sabrina suggested. You can purchase from any drugstore or walmart or target. They are wonderful!!!

 

[Dustin]

I didn't know there was a pill splitter either... I always just use a sharp knife, and use my one hand to press down on the top of the blade while cupping my hand, so it catches (95% of the time) the pill before it can go anywhere.

 

[MapleLeafGirl]

I always use my fingers. Even when I have had to split prednisone in half (and they are pretty small) they snapped apart quite nicely.

 

[Cookie]

Yeah, when I was on an odd dose of Imuran I used the pill splitter too. Like Inky said, it's around 5 bucks at the pharmacy and is safer than using a knife. Sometimes there was still a bit of an issue with one half crumbling...I just took that half right away and saved the good half for later.

 

[Christy]

I got one of those great little pill cutters years ago, long before I ever even heard of Crohn's Disease & I love it (the pill cutter, not the Crohn's, lol)

 

[David in Seattle]

I'm super-tapering off pred. Down to 3/8's of a 5mg tablet. Real PITA. Have to cut the tab in half, then cut the half in half to get 1/4, then cut the 1/4 in half to get 1/8! Takes a very sharp knife! Never tried one of those pill cutters, no need until now. Another easy approach, if the drug is water soluble, is to dissolve it in some set amount of water, then do a little math & drink the appropriate amount of the water for each dose. I've done that in the past with other drugs.

Marisa, did you find out anything about your TPMT test?

 

[dreamintwilight]

OH yeah, David. Well, apparently my "negative" test is a good thing because that's what made them say it was alright to take the Imuran. I still have no idea what it means though. Possibly negative to the possibility of experiencing side effects. I'll update again once I get my test results. Perhaps they explain more on it.

And all that pill cutting does sound like a pain! Haha.

 

[kenny]

I keep an older bottle of imuran (110 tab size) to keep split pills in. Every so often I stand there and cut a dozen or so pills with the splitter and pop them into that smaller container. That way I don't have to dig around for them or mess about with the splitter every night.

I take 3 1/2 pills each night with dinner and I dump them into a shot glass and set that on the table beside my plate. The glass makes counting easy and takes the whole "omg I have to take my pills!!11!" feeling out of it. Oh and I'm still sort of whmis compliant with the pill bottle labeling thing

 

[dreamintwilight]

That's a great tip! I was thinking today how annoying it would have been to throw the other half of the pill back in the bottle with the rest of the whole pills. Luckily, when I cut it in half the other half turned to powder, so I just threw it away.

I am pretty sure I have an old bottle somewhere. I'll have to do that once I get that pill cutter!

Hey, I like to label things too! On a side note, we are supposed to buy some storage bins tonight so we can continue to organize our things as we prepare to move again. And I am SO excited we are finally getting a labeler! Haha.

 

[Crohn's 35]

I have had a pill cutter for 18 years, has a razor blade on it and very safe! Still have it to this day. I was cutting my pentasa in half and the doc gave me royal sh*t because you cannot do that , it is specially coated and has to get to the Ileum... stupid.

 

[dreamintwilight]

I got my pill cutter last night! Its awesome

 

[David in Seattle]

I got my pill cutter last night! Its awesome

Boy, you know something sad's going on when a whole bunch of fun, good looking, interesting and youthful people can go on enthusiastically for days about a bloody PILL CUTTER!

Shouldn't we all be out para sailing, wine tasting, WATER SKIING or something???

:lol: :lol: :lol: :yfrown:

Anyway I hope it works for you, Marisa. :thumleft:

Savor life's little joys... Savor life's little joys... Savor life's little joys...

 

[dreamintwilight]

I was going to say something like that. It's the little thing in life Haha.