Splitting capsules into smaller doses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's common to open the capsules for patients that can't swallow a capsule (like children or the elderly) -- you just sprinkle it on yogurt or applesauce. But I agree with others that it would be hard to split up evenly, and that each of the little grains might not be the same thing.

And to quarter it would be damn near impossible. I open my kids' capsule and there is no way you'd be able to measure out 1/4 accurately. Half the time it comes out in clumps. Plus, what are you going to do with the powder/grains once you open it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've split pills with a cutter. I have this medication, powder in a capsule, for which a dose 4x as strong is only 1.5x as expensive. I see you can buy gelatin capsules on Amazon. Seems I should just ask the doctor for the 4x prescription and repackage it at home into smaller doses. All I have to do is eyeball it into 4 portions. Right?

This is a horrible idea. Even if this were a good idea, how do you think you're going to get the correct amount of powder back into a capsule? Those things are minuscule. By the time you buy all the stuff you'd need to do this correctly you'd be better off just buying the original prescription.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've split pills with a cutter. I have this medication, powder in a capsule, for which a dose 4x as strong is only 1.5x as expensive. I see you can buy gelatin capsules on Amazon. Seems I should just ask the doctor for the 4x prescription and repackage it at home into smaller doses. All I have to do is eyeball it into 4 portions. Right?

This is a horrible idea. Even if this were a good idea, how do you think you're going to get the correct amount of powder back into a capsule? Those things are minuscule. By the time you buy all the stuff you'd need to do this correctly you'd be better off just buying the original prescription.

Amazon has scales for less than $50 and capsules are really cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've split pills with a cutter. I have this medication, powder in a capsule, for which a dose 4x as strong is only 1.5x as expensive. I see you can buy gelatin capsules on Amazon. Seems I should just ask the doctor for the 4x prescription and repackage it at home into smaller doses. All I have to do is eyeball it into 4 portions. Right?

This is a horrible idea. Even if this were a good idea, how do you think you're going to get the correct amount of powder back into a capsule? Those things are minuscule. By the time you buy all the stuff you'd need to do this correctly you'd be better off just buying the original prescription.

Amazon has scales for less than $50 and capsules are really cheap.

How are you getting a microscopic amount of powder back into the capsule?

[Anonymous]

And how many doses do you lose in the powder spills.
Some pills also are definitely not meant to be split such are extended release where splitting breaks the coating and it all goes into your system fast.
If a capsule is too bug to swallow ask for an alternative form, like envelopes of stuff you put on applesauce.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've split pills with a cutter. I have this medication, powder in a capsule, for which a dose 4x as strong is only 1.5x as expensive. I see you can buy gelatin capsules on Amazon. Seems I should just ask the doctor for the 4x prescription and repackage it at home into smaller doses. All I have to do is eyeball it into 4 portions. Right?

This is a horrible idea. Even if this were a good idea, how do you think you're going to get the correct amount of powder back into a capsule? Those things are minuscule. By the time you buy all the stuff you'd need to do this correctly you'd be better off just buying the original prescription.

Amazon has scales for less than $50 and capsules are really cheap.

How are you getting a microscopic amount of powder back into the capsule?

There are tools for filling capsules.
And it wouldn't be microscopic obviously, unless you are using the word in a snarky manner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've split pills with a cutter. I have this medication, powder in a capsule, for which a dose 4x as strong is only 1.5x as expensive. I see you can buy gelatin capsules on Amazon. Seems I should just ask the doctor for the 4x prescription and repackage it at home into smaller doses. All I have to do is eyeball it into 4 portions. Right?

This is a horrible idea. Even if this were a good idea, how do you think you're going to get the correct amount of powder back into a capsule? Those things are minuscule. By the time you buy all the stuff you'd need to do this correctly you'd be better off just buying the original prescription.

Amazon has scales for less than $50 and capsules are really cheap.

This is the way. It's not the crazy-difficult science some pps are making it out to be. I've had to split capsules to taper off a few meds. You can talk to your pharmacist about the construction of the pill, and whether or not the powder/pellets inside are homogenous or "some med, some filler". If the latter, yes, you'll need to grind them to a more-consistent mix to make sure you're getting the right dose.

Scales are cheap, and you can get tiny funnels and scoops to help put the powder into capsules (or even capsule-loading machines, if you're willing to invest.

[Anonymous]

If you're really willing to invest, go to pharmacy school.

[Anonymous]

Hopefully this is not life sustaining medicine. These are all really bad ideas but you seem hell bent to save a few $.

Give it a go and report back if you’re still alive.

[Anonymous]

Ask a pharmacist if you can split the pill in half. Some drugs are not splittable.

[Anonymous]

I’ve made my own capsules for supplements for years but it’s always a single ingredient without fillers. And I use a gram scale . But I wouldn’t do it with medications

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're really willing to invest, go to pharmacy school.

Waste of money overall. Diplomas are for $ not for education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask a pharmacist if you can split the pill in half. Some drugs are not splittable.

As the OP said, they are capsules.

NOT pills. Capsules. Seems many here are confused as to the difference.