There are several medicines that can be split, and some which cannot. I figured it would be a good place to post what we have learnt about pill splitting in one topic.
I’ll start:
Atorvastatin can be split into 5 mg pieces
Empagliflozin can be split into 10 mg pieces
Finasteride can be split into 5 mg pieces
Rapamycin cannot be split (damages coating rendering it useless)
Why empagliflozin can be split but not telmisartan?
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Ezitimibe can be split in 4 (10mg/4 = 2.5mg), as 2.5 mg is almost as effective as 10mg in the studies. No benefits of splitting Bempadoic Acid. Pill Splitting Ezetimibe and Bempadoic Acid to Save Money, Lower Side-effect risk
SGLT2 inhibitors (Canagliflozin, Empagliflozin, etc.) can be split. See this post: Canagliflozin for Anti-aging - One Month and 4 Month Updates - #31 by RapAdmin
Many antidepressant tablets are safe to split. Common examples include:
Many medications that help lower blood pressure can also be cut in half. Examples include:
Many cholesterol medications can also be cut in half. Some examples include:
The most common erectile dysfunction medications can be safely split. This includes:
Some tablets used to manage Type 2 diabetes can be cut in half as well. Examples include:
There are many other medications for other conditions that can be split into two. Some of the most popular examples include:
This is not an exhaustive list — there are many other medications that can be cut in half. You should always check with your pharmacist before splitting any tablets.
Source: https://www.goodrx.com/drugs/medication-basics/pill-splitting
An interesting pill splitter that is designed for breaking pills in 1/2 or 1/4.
On Amazon Here: Amazon.com
It has terrible reviews though.
Yes - there are very few pill splitters that do 1/4 tablets. This one seems to be the best reviewed (that I can find - perhaps other people here can find better ones).
Available at this link: Amazon.com: lomonmen Pill Cutter, Chopping Medicine Tablets, Precision Pill Cutter for Small Pills Large Pills Cut in Half Quarter (Small White) : Health & Household
This one not so good reviews, but another option:
Available Here: https://www.amazon.com/harayaa-Multiple-Portable-Adjustable-Quartering/dp/B0B4GSHKJW/
Does it matter what version of rapa to use when making toothpaste, lotion etc that would hold when grinding up the pill? Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere.
No - once you crush the tablet they are all basically the same (you’re only after the rapamycin in the tablet). Details on making the toothpaste here: DIY Rapamycin Toothpaste and Flossing Paste
So there is no difference in the stability of the active ingredient (that we are aware of) after the modifications? I only ask because people are speaking about the enteric coating be compromised after these actions.
In the use of the tablets via swallowing (for the standard oral delivery method) you have to worry about getting past the stomach acid, so for this application the pills need to be film coated or enteric ally coated.
The toothpaste and skin cream rapamycin formulations are effectively “topical applications” on the skin - so you don’t have to worry about stomach acids and thus there is no need for protective coating. You are just trying to deliver the rapamycin molecule in an effective composition, usually using some absorption helper like transcutol or DSMO.
The topical applications of rapamycin do not get into the bloodstream, the research suggests, so its only effecting the skin / etc. it touches or is absorbed by.
The topical formulations are less stable than the pills - I’ve seen research that these creams are typically only good for about 90 days (ideally you’d store them in a refrigerator, but thats a bit more of a hassle than I’m willing to go through), so make batches that you will use up in that time period.
Perfect. Thanks for your patience and help.
Have I understood correctly that Forxiga 10mg (dapagliflozin) cannot be split because it is film coated?
Not sure it will suit your purpose, but you can also purchase Tacrolimus ointment .03 from India. Cheap and no fuss. I have a few tubes (they are small) for an experiment that didn’t materialize, looking to repurpose them.
I’ve not seen that. If you can, I’d check it by tracking blood glucose with a split pill vs non-split pill.
The manufacturer directs to swallow this medication whole. However, many similar drugs (immediate-release tablets) can be split/crushed.
Anyone had any luck splitting the Vidalista 20mg tablet into quarters? I’m not sure what shape they come in. 5mg are not expensive but I’d rather avoid extra pill fillers if possible and quarter the 20mg pills. I’m high risk for Alzeimer’s so adding Tadalafil to my stack on my next order from Jagdish.
Edit: Looks like the 10’s can be halved but the 20’s are a tear drop shape as per RapAdmin post and cannot be split.
Maybe not worth the effort given the cheap price of these pills.
The only drugs AFAIK that can’t be split are those with enteric coating. They need to be whole through stomach acid and absorbed in the intestines.
You can easily do an “image” search on google and see the pill shape (see link below). Its an odd-shaped (slightly tear-drop shaped) pill (by design I’m sure), which makes it more difficult to split into 1/4s.
Thank you. Is anyone familiar with any reliable brands that could be easily split into quarters? I’m also a bit concerned pills are likely to crumble when quartered. Looks like I’ll just get the 5mg tabs then and keep things simple.
For my father I purchased the Pengra which is diamond shaped. Its not too bad (100mg, so split for use).
Penegra 100mg - 100 tablets, Zydus Cadila - 57$
Even with the Vadalista - even if pill splitting is a little more difficult, (i.e. hard to get exactly 1/4 tablet), I’m not sure it matters. I mean if you’re +/- a small amount its not going to make much difference really (I think). I’d just buy the pill you want, split it as best you can (see different pill splitting devices and find one that works well for you). And not worry too much if its exactly 1/4 of the pill you are taking each day. Over weeks of use it will average out.
Here is the updated, clean video on how to save money by splitting the dose of the Monjuaro pen. Please note the amount drawn up in the syringe was 0.1 mL which is 3 mg when using the 15 mg pen.
