Splitting Pills

[Pippah45]

Is there any magic to cutting the pills? I have 1mg but they are too thin for my pill cutter.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This is what I used with my 1mg -

safeandsoundhealth.co.uk/pr...

Most pharmacies have them as well as a well-known internet shopping site!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

What dose do you need? Down to 2mg you can cut a 5mg tablet to get 2.5mg and then add 1mg for the balance.

[Pippah45 in reply to PMRpro]

I was planning on going down to 8.5 from 9 where I have been for about 4 weeks. But perhaps 8 is safe enough? The first week to 10 days of a new dose my eyes take a while to settle down but I could go 9 one day and 8 the next.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pippah45]

Only you can tell - but why not use one of the slowed tapering plans:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

That way you can often manage larger steps without the pain ...

[Pippah45 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you very much again - I sent the DSDNS to my sister and then lost it on the old computer!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pippah45]

lord only knows what's on my old computers!!!!

[MrsNails in reply to Pippah45]

Pippah, you can get 2.5mg tablets Plain or Coated to make up the dose, l’m currently on 11.5mg/12mg alternate days, it’s a few tablets to take to make 11.5mg but not so bad for 8.5mg ~ 1x5mg; 1x2.5mg & 1x1mg

I just prefer to stick to whole tablets.

Good Luck

MrsN

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Pred achieves a working level within a couple of hours when it is the plain variety

[HamishPMR]

Ask your pharmacist if he/she can give you a generic brand which is scored like Wockhardt.

[membership]

I work on tablets on alternate days.. it seems to work fine for me... eg. 6 one day, 5 the next = 5.5mg. dose.

[keeptalking]

I have been cutting 1 mg tablets in half with a very sharp knife. Don’t press too hard. Has worked for me even though I lose a few halves along the way. My G.P. says don’t worry about those as “they’re as cheap as chips”! She said she’s not allowed to prescribe 2.5mgs tablets.

[Rugger]

You could try a small serrated knife, as it would grip the tablet better than a smooth blade.

[meelfyn]

I cut a 1mg scored tablet in half using a nail clipper. I keep all the bits of the tablet if it completely fractures. In two weeks I will be moving to the alternate day method.

[Noosat]

I cut 1mg with my pill cutter. Sometimes the two pieces are not equal, but I ignore this, so in 2 days I am getting the required amount

[Pippah45 in reply to Noosat]

Thanks for all the answers. My pill cutter says 1mg is too shallow to cut - but I am thinking of doing 9 one day and then 8 the next - less hassle as long as I remember which day is which! Diary!

[Alchemy8]

Hi Pippah. I found a great pill cutter in Boots which is enclosed so if it doesn't cut correctly the bits don't fly alll over the place. Made by Safe and Sound it is cylindrical, can store pills underneath and has a wedge shaped formation to hold any size of tablet. As you close the lid the knife cuts in.

The assistant told me where it was in the branch but because I wasn't expecting that kind of construction I couldn't see it. Though made by the same company it bears no resemblance to the one featured by Dorset Lady.

[Manchild]

This may sound weird, but the absolute best thing I have found to cut my pills is an old fashioned toenail clipper! Works great every time.

[Thelmarina]

I just love pliers. You’ve given me the giggles! I envisage you with visor and gauntlets, pliers in hand, ready to pounce the small white pill on the table. How I wish I could draw! 😂😂😂

[JanetRosslyn]

Ask your GP for 5mg, 2.5mg and 1mg tablets then you can mix and match and no cutting required until you get down to 1.5mg dose.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JanetRosslyn]

But do make sure they are all plain or all enteric coated - it is complicated to mix them because they are absorbed at different rates.