Splitting pills is easy and can often save nearly half

[passer by]

Most drugs, even the newer ones, don't cost much to manufacture. A lot of drugs show little price difference even when you double their strength. Look at the prices of your drugs at their regular and at double strength. If there is little difference then ask your doctor or pharmacist whether the pills can be split (some drugs cannot). If so, ask your doctor about getting your next prescription with half the quantity and double the dose then go to your drug store a buy a "pill splitter" which easily and accurately can split pills.

Note: Time-release drugs usually cannot be split but often there are older versions of the drugs which are not time-release and they may be able to be split. If it is worth it to you financially then ask your doctor about switching to a non-time release version. Most people do not realize it but drugs you take everyday or multiple times a day typically build up a level in your blood this is pretty consistent, whether it is time-release or not. The key is talking with your doctor about your specific medical and financial needs. Of course, this is a bad idea if you have trouble remembering to take your medications. :)

[dlcnurse]

Many medications can be doubled in strength and split. If your medication is a time released form also be sure and ask about the possible side effects of switching to a non-time released medication, ask if there is a reason why they put you on a time released med. Not all medications can be switched. It could be a matter of the half-life of the medication, controlled release may be because of keeping a constant titer versus a up and down effect. For example, Cardizem can be given in a non time released method or a extended released form. Problems of the short acting is the half-life of the medication, which many people experience ups and downs in their heart rate, the extended release form helps to control a steady state to prevent the ups and downs and to maintain a healthy blood pressure. So be sure and ask why you take the time release, what possible problems you could have if you switched, and if their is a risk of toxicity. Also check with your pharmacist and see if it would be cost effective to switch to something that you will have to take 3 times a day versus once a day, if it comes in a generic form, what the difference is in the generic drug, (most cases of the generic form contains a different inactive ingredient but I have seen allergic reactions happen with generic forms, so it is best to ask what that inactive ingredient is just in case you may have an allergy to it).

[GeeWhiz]

I have found a good place to find out whether my drugs can be split is at www.canadadrugs.com

Simply do a search for your drug's name and then when the page comes up click on double the strength that you normally take.

The page that comes up next has the pricing. Just above the price per pill will be a statement saying the drug can be split (if it can).