Changes

*To obtain the correct dosage; for example, in some cases a doctor might advise a half-tablet dosage for a child.

*To obtain the correct dosage; for example, in some cases a doctor might advise a half-tablet dosage for a child.

*To stretch out a supply of a drug when the patient cannot afford to buy enough tablets. Obviously this is a dangerous practice, but impoverished patients have been known to do it.

*To stretch out a supply of a drug when the patient cannot afford to buy enough tablets. Obviously this is a dangerous practice, but impoverished patients have been known to do it.

*To save money on prescription drugs deliberately purchasing tablets that contain twice the proper dosage and splitting them. (The practice requires the cooperation of the doctor prescribing the drug).

*To save money on prescription drugs by deliberately purchasing tablets that contain twice the proper dosage and splitting them. (The practice requires the cooperation of the doctor prescribing the drug).

Not all pills are designed to be split, and the production process is not necessarily designed to distribute the drug evenly within the pill; thus, even if the pill splits into two portions that appear equal in size, they may not contain equal quantities of the drug. Generally speaking, if the pill is not manufactured with a scored groove, it is not intended to be split.  

Not all pills are designed to be split, and the production process is not necessarily designed to distribute the drug evenly within the pill; thus, even if the pill splits into two portions that appear equal in size, they may not contain equal quantities of the drug. Generally speaking, if the pill is not manufactured with a scored groove, it is not intended to be split.