Augmentation and Pipexus

[Pennyfarthing]

I am coming off Pipexus, a slow release form of Pramepexole, due to Augmentation.

I read a comment that you can not cut long release tablets. Is this true and if so how can I do this safely

[Hidden]

It's dangerous to cut slow release tablets. You will have to switch.to regular immediate release.

You may need to split the dose at first, if you get daytime symptoms due to augmentation. Start cutting the daytime dose first and as augmentation fades you may not need the daytime dose.

It may be a matter of trial and error.

There should be a conversion table available to say what dose of immediate release pramipexole is "equivalent" to the slow release dose. This will avoid any sudden drop in dose.

This is just a suggestion, you can't cut slow release tablets safely.

[Pennyfarthing in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[Parminter]

Slow-release forms of all drugs will release rapidly if you cut them.

The danger depends upon the dose.

What is the dose?

The better solution is to ask for the usual pramipexole tablets. They can certainly be cut,

If you take 0,25, for example, ask if you can have 2 X 0.125 instead, so that you can control your withdrawal more accurately, about 10% to 15% at a time.

Back to the doctor!

[Pennyfarthing in reply to Parminter]

Thank you. They are .26

[Parminter in reply to Pennyfarthing]

You will not be able to cut them into small enough pieces, so ask your doctor for a new scrip for multiples of the smallest tablets - perhaps 0.088 (or whatever the smallest is).

It should be possible to cut four tablets ( or two tablets) into a total of eight pieces, and withdraw one-eighth at a time.

Alternatively, ask your pharmacist to grind up 0.25 tablet and put into into eight tablets - or whatever number you agree to with your doctor . Pharmacists are trained for this, they should not make a fuss. But they will need the details of all the excipients that go into the tablet.

Withdrawal is a serious business, so ask all concerned to help you.