Splitting T3 tablets

[Mickeydooley]

Following my last appointment with an endo (who prescribed me 10mcg t3 along with 50mcg levo) I’m about to pick up my meds for the first time from the pharmacy today! However the pharmacist has told me that the t3 comes in 20mcg tablets and I’m wondering how I split the dose? He mentioned dissolving the tablet and taking half the solution? This seems very odd and I wondered if I can somehow cut the tablet? The pharmacist didn’t know as the tablet is in a sealed pack and he couldn’t see what size the tablet was. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Very easy to cut with sharp craft scalpel

Or a pill cutter

Recommended to start on 1/4 tablet (5mcg) waking and .....if no adverse reaction 2nd 1/4 tablet mid afternoon

Definitely don’t dissolve- incredibly wasting - these pills are over £7 each

Plus shouldn’t tip waste T3 water down drain

[Mickeydooley in reply to SlowDragon]

Great! Thank you! I did think it sounded ridiculous although I did look up the PIL online and those were the instructions. The pharmacist told me to keep the remainder of the solution and take it the next day. I keep my meds beside my bed so I take on waking and didn’t like the idea of the solution sitting out all night. As I haven’t seen the tablets yet I wasn’t sure if they were too small to cut. Thanks for the advice on timings. Endo suggested taking all 10mcg in the morning along with levo but your method sounds much more sensible. Especially as I’ve never taken it before. Thanks again.

[Aurealis in reply to Mickeydooley]

Yes I agree with SlowDragon

[Mickeydooley in reply to SlowDragon]

Have ordered a scalpel - and a pill cutter (just in case!)

[Aurealis in reply to Mickeydooley]

I find the ‘Safe and Sound’ cutter provides the cleanest cut, of the ones I’ve tried.

[Mickeydooley in reply to Aurealis]

Good to know. Thank you.

[wightmouse]

My new GP would not prescribe me 5mcg liothyronine tablets anymore as they not on NHS formulary despite being on them for seven years. He was willing to prescribe the 20mcg ones without referring me back to endo to see if I still needed them. As at the time t3 was being withdrawn from lots of patients I wasn't prepared to take the chance, just in case!

My 20mcg is teva brand and I tried cutting but just disntergrated unequal. Since then I have dissolved them.

I get the pharmacist to give me an oral dosing syringe with my prescription otherwise you have to buy it.

I bought a pill crusher and mix the 20ml water (drawn up with syringe) and then draw up the dose I need and put it in a small glass measuring cup I bought. do this before I go to bed as I take mine when I wake along with my levo then go back to sleep. Then ready for breakfast when I'm ready to get up.

Bit of a faff but got used to it.

amazon.co.uk/Safe-Sound-Pil...

[Mickeydooley in reply to wightmouse]

Thanks for the tip. I’m just about to go to collect my script so I’ll ask the pharmacist for the oral dosing syringe.

[Mickeydooley in reply to wightmouse]

Do you store the remainder of the liquid to use next day?

[wightmouse in reply to Mickeydooley]

Have done! Now got GP to give me enough so don't have to.

You may find halving tablets ok but I needed to quarter.

I'm on 6.5mcg with teva brand at moment will need to go up in winter.

All the best, hope it all works out well for you.

[Mickeydooley in reply to wightmouse]

Thank you! I’ve just managed to quarter one fairly successfully. I bought a cheap cutter at the pharmacy and also got the syringe. I have ordered (going by reviews) a better cutter but this will do in the meantime.

[wightmouse in reply to Mickeydooley]

What brand is yours?

[Mickeydooley in reply to wightmouse]

I ordered the safe and sound one. The one I got in the pharmacy is a Medicare one. Not very sophisticated but it is satisfactory for now.

[wightmouse in reply to Mickeydooley]

Sorry I meant your liothyronine.

[Mickeydooley in reply to wightmouse]

Oh sorry! Haha! It’s morningside healthcare.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to wightmouse]

This doubles the cost of T3 if chucking half tablet away.

It's necessary to collect the T3 waste liquid and take it to pharmacy for disposal . It shouldn't be put thrown in water system

A sharp craft scalpel cuts Morningside or Mercury Pharma tablets easily. Never tried Teva brand, but probably similar

cassart.co.uk/craft/adhesiv...?

Because 5mcg tablets are not on NHS drug tarrif, there's no fixed price. Loophole allows exploitation. Sigma Pharma 5mcg is £126 for 90 tablets on private prescription. NHS being charged between £380-£420 for exactly same item

retailgazette.co.uk/blog/20...

express.co.uk/news/uk/91348...

[Mickeydooley in reply to SlowDragon]

My pharmacist told me to save the remainder and take it the next day. I don’t know if it would keep but I’ve managed to cut into quarters now and have taken first quarter this morning. Problem solved.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mickeydooley]

Pharmaceutical companies only came up with that idea of dissolving tablet and then chucking most of it away, after so many thousands of UK patients had their T3 stopped due to cost

medscape.com/viewarticle/90...

I actually started on 1/8 tablet.....but that was Uni Pharma 25mcg. Very slightly bigger tablets and easy to cut cleanly

But manage easily cutting Morningside Healthcare into 1/4's. Also take any tiny crumbs left from cutting

[mcooper in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi slowdragon , aware I am replying on an old post but can I double check please- where can I get sigmapharm for 126 pounds for a pot of 90 x 5mcg tabs. Currently getting on nhs but due to be stopped soon. If my doctor wrote a private prescription are you saying I could purchase for 126? If desperate I will do this as my other option would be to get from USA which is slightly cheaper. Would be most grateful if you could pm me where to get - I take 5mcg morning along with 75 Levi and 5mcg t3 pm. Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to mcooper]

Sent you a pm

[Angel_of_the_North]

The manufacturers want to you to waste a lot of money by discarding half a pill each time and dissolving the other half in water. That is not necessary. Just cut in half and take half. Save the other half for next dose. Although it's usually best to start with a quarter tablet. Don't worry if the quarters/halves aren't exact

[Mickeydooley in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thank you. I managed to cut one tablet in quarters and intend to start as SlowDragon suggested, with one quarter first thing and then try to take the second quarter in the afternoon. Hopefully I will remember and manage to find a window after lunch and before dinner! I’m a bit of a grazer so will have to discipline myself.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Mickeydooley]

T3 doesn't seem to be as fussy as levo about food.

[Mickeydooley in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Really? That’s good news! I thought it was an hour after food and two after?

[Mickeydooley in reply to Mickeydooley]

Sorry! An hour before

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Mickeydooley]

You should get away with 30 mins and an hour with T3. I do.

[Mickeydooley in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Great! Thanks. Lots to learn!

[Gcart]

Throw other half away ! That’s scandalous advice .

I find it easy to half mine and use when next needed .