Splitting a pill in half is a common practice that is easy to do with a generic pill splitter. Sometimes, your doctor may prescribe pills that have to be cut to get the right dose. In addition, you can cut pills with too high a dose to save half your medical costs. Even if you can split a pill without a device, it's a good idea to stick with a device so that the dosage is according to the prescription.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making Sure the Pills Are Safe to Split
Step 1. Check if the pill has an incision line
Pills that have passed the BPOM test and can be split have an incision line in the middle which indicates the best location for splitting them. To be sure, check the “Drinking Rules” section on the label that comes with the medicine bottle. The label or other information on the medicine package should also include this information.
BPOM guarantees that the two parts of the pill have relatively the same amount of drug
Step 2. Do not bypass pills that release delayed-release drugs, give long-term drug effects, or contain a mixture of active ingredients
These pills as well as pills that have a special coating to protect the patient's stomach generally shouldn't be split open. Never split chemotherapy drugs and blood thinners.
If the pill is very fragile, don't cut it because you risk changing the dose of the active ingredient in each split. If you have pills that break easily, but aren't hard pills, you can add applesauce and jam while taking half the pill
Step 3. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure the pill is safe to split
Talk to a healthcare practitioner about the type of medication you are taking and the best way to cut it. Sometimes, your doctor may prescribe tablets at a dose that is twice as large as you need, so cutting the pills will automatically cut the cost of the prescription in half.
Step 4. Adhere to the dose given carefully
If you get a pill that is twice as large as prescribed, make sure you split it before taking it. Sometimes, you may forget to measure the medicine given in half the dose. So, make sure you actually take the medication as prescribed.
- Try placing the splitter near the medication so you remember to cut the pill before taking it.
- Consider putting a sticky note or special label on the medicine bottle so you remember to cut the pill in half.
Method 2 of 3: Choosing the Right Pill Splitter
Step 1. Opt for a standard pill splitter if you want the most affordable option
Most pill splitters are usually made of plastic. The mechanism of the tool features a knife blade at the top and two protruding plastic pieces with a triangular shape for placing pills. You can generally find this model in pharmacies, sell cheaply, and are relatively easy to use. Try to find a pill splitter that has a rubber-coated plastic inside to make it easier for the pill to hold when splitting.
Keep pill-cutting tools away from small children as they may accidentally injure themselves
Step 2. Choose a universal pill splitter or an all-in-one pill splitter to cut large or odd-shaped pills
These devices usually have a circular compartment that can be rotated with various types of openings to accommodate pills or parts that can be removed and replaced as needed. This tool is the best option for those of you who frequently cut various types of pills on a regular basis.
Some medical insurance providers are willing to cover the cost of purchasing a pill splitter or crusher. Contact your insurance agent or check the insurance benefits you use online to find out if the cost of purchasing a pill splitter is covered by insurance, especially if the device is needed to measure the doses of medications you take frequently
Step 3. Purchase an all-in-one pill splitter and pill crusher to use in various purposes
If some of the drugs you are taking need to be split, while others need to be crushed, consider buying a combination kit that can do both. These usually have a cover with a blade at the top, as well as a separate area for grinding pills at the bottom.
It's important to note that the pill splitter has a sharp blade inside so it can't be carried on long trips. If you want to travel long distances, pack a pill splitter in your suitcase or have the chopped pills ready to take with you. Store the chopped pills in a regular medicine bottle
Method 3 of 3: Cutting Pills
Step 1. Place one pill in the retention basin of the pill splitter
Place the pill between two pieces of plastic that form a triangle facing opposite you, then press the plastic against the knife. On other pill splitter models where the holder is open and facing you, simply place the pill between the two holders so that they touch each other on each side.
- Try to align the pills so that their center is in the center of the splitter. This will ensure that the knife is able to cut the pill in half.
- To use the all-in-one pill splitter, find the hole that best fits your pill shape and insert the pill into it.
- If you use a cleaver specially designed to cut several pills at once, you can insert as many pills as needed and cut them in at the same time instead of cutting them one by one.
Step 2. Firmly press down on the pill splitter until the lid snaps on tightly
Try to keep the pill splitter in position while pushing the lid to prevent the pill from moving before cutting. Make sure you screw on the cover tightly so the knife can cut through the pills perfectly.
- Most pill splitters have a special compartment to hold the chopped pill. Shake the splitter before opening it to make sure the pill pieces have fallen into the compartment.
- Be careful not to touch the knife when opening the pill splitter to take your medicine.
- If you want to divide the pill into quarters, simply line up the cut half of the pill and repeat the cutting process.
Step 3. Remove the cut pill from the splitter and take it as prescribed by the doctor
Store the other half of the pill in a regular medicine bottle. Use the remaining half of the pill while taking the medicine at another time instead of cutting the pill again.
Split the pill just before you are about to take it
Tips
- Place the pill on a spoon and squeeze it with another spoon on top to crush the pill without any special tools.
- Ask the doctor to give the child a dose if the dose on the usual medicine is too large.
- Separate the capsule shell and pour the medicine inside into the food, then eat half of the food.
Warning
- Wash your hands before touching the medicine.
- Follow your doctor or pharmacist's instructions carefully to make sure you're taking the right dosage.
- Be careful when using the pill splitter and don't touch the sharp blade.
- There is always a risk of taking the wrong dose when you split a pill.
- Clean the pill splitter with a rag or kitchen paper if you use it to cut several different medications.
- Double check to make sure the pill is safe to split and get your doctor's approval before you split any prescribed medications.
