Tablet splitting should not be attempted under certain circumstances.
Contraindications to tablet splitting:
(1) enteric-coated preparation
(2) (sustained, controlled, or timed release formulation) AND (not designed for splitting)
(3) (combination tablet with two or more drugs) AND (not designed for splitting)
(4) narrow therapeutic index
Additional preparations that may be poor choices for splitting:
(1) (a critical medication which requires a minimum dose to be effective) AND (a split tablet contains a dose close to that dose)
(2) liquid tab or other formulation not designed for splitting
When in doubt, drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for splitting will have instructions in the “How Supplied” section of the package insert.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
