Pill Splitting

As the cost of pharmaceuticals continues to rise, taking advantage of the way drugs are manufactured and priced can save you considerable amounts of money. Most of the cost of pharmaceuticals is wrapped up in research and marketing, not manufacturing. 

Many drugs are priced the same regardless of the dose because drug manufacturers don’t want cost to be a determining factor when doctors are deciding how much of a drug to prescribe. Therefore, a customer can order the larger pill that contains double the dose, split the pill in half and save up to 50%. 

How does pill splitting work? 

Quite simply put, you split your double-strength tablet in half to yield two tablets. Each half tablet contains your required dosage. 

For instance, DoctorSolve sells a one-month supply of 20-mg Lipitor for $159.75. DoctorSolve also sells a one-month supply of 40-mg Lipitor for $185.00. So, if you require a prescription of 20-mg Lipitor you could buy a month’s supply of the 40-mg pills, split them in half, essentially getting an extra month’s supply of Lipitor for only $6.31. 

Which drugs can be split? 

As a general guideline, the following drugs can be split: 

• Cholesterol drugs (Lipitor) 

• Blood pressure drugs (ACE inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers) 

• Antidepressants (Zoloft) 

• Valtrex (antiviral drugs) 

Is pill splitting safe? 

You might wonder if splitting pills is safe. Despite the health concerns raised by drug manufacturers, recent studies show that pill splitting, when done correctly, is perfectly safe for many drugs. 

Correct pill splitting does not involve kitchen knives and a splitting board. Most pharmaceutical companies manufacture pill splitters designed to make pill splitting easier. Simply open the splitter and set the pill inside. Then close the splitter and a blade split through the pill. It is important to check the condition and orientation of the pill splitting blade. If the blade is loose or not level, your pills will not be split evenly. 

How much will a pill splitter cost?

Pill splitters normally range from $5-$15. Currently, DoctorSolve sells pill splitters for $5.35. 

Is pill splitting right for you?

To determine if pill splitting is right for you, ask yourself these questions: 

• Would you like to save money on your prescription costs? 

• Are you taking Cholesterol drugs, Blood pressure drugs, Antidepressants, or Valtrex? 

• Does your physician agree that pill-splitting is a viable option for you? 

• Do you have the manual dexterity and vision to safely split your pills? 

It is important that you are comfortably able to split your pills. If you have an arthritic condition that prevents you from splitting your pills safely and effectively, pill splitting may not be a viable option. 

How do you split pills? 

Below are step-by-step instructions with photographs that show you how to split your pills. If you have additional questions, contact your physician or pharmacist. 

1. Open the pill splitter.
   • Place the pill splitter on a flat surface to make sure the split is straight.
   • Open the cover of your pill splitter.
2. Placing your pill in the pill splitter.
   • Pour your pills into a small dry bowl.
   • One by one, put pills into your pill splitter.

   Note – the pill should be secured (flush with the sides of your pill splitter) to ensure a straight split.

3. Splitting your pill in half
   • Stabilize your pill splitter with one hand.
   • With your free hand, press the top down slowly but firmly (ensuring that the blade travels completely through your pill).

   Note – to split your pill properly, follow the motion outlined in the adjacent pictures.

4. Removing and storing your split pills.
   • Remove the split pills from your pill splitter.
   • Place the split pills in your clean, dry prescription bottle.
   • Please store your pills safely in a cool, dry place, and ensure your pills are stored away from children and pets.