Posted by JohnB on May 3, 2000, at 2:39:24
This from Consumer Reports on Health, January 2000, which I have summarized:
1. Since many drugs are priced about the same regardless of strength, splitting a double-dose pill can result in up to a 50% saving.
2. You need to know how to do it and when it is appropriate.
3. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you which kind of pills SHOULD NOT be split, ie., for instance, time-release meds; and pills with enteric coatings designed to keep them from dissolving in the stomach.
4. Most drugstores offer $5 pill splitters, which are usually better that using a knife.
5. Pill splitting is not 100% accurate, so forget about it if your doctor says your medication requires a precise dosage.
6. Example of Cost Saving: (dd = double dose)
Celexa 20mg x 30 days = $58; If dd split = $30
Zoloft 50mg x 30 days = $65; If dd split = $33
Paxil 20mg x 30 days =$65; If dd split = $36
poster:JohnB
thread:32004
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000429/msgs/32004.html