Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Can Pain Medication Be Broken In Half And Taken?
Question: my wife has had back surgery she is taking this medication for pain. She can not swallow the pill and is chewing it for the last few days. I see this should not be done? can I scoreit in half?
Brief answer- You can make it into half if it is a regular tablet.
Detailed answer....
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
You see the problem is with the extended release tablet and not a regular tablet.
An extended release tablet is designed to release the medicine over a period of next 12 hours. If such a tablet is crushed or chewed you would get an overdose of medicine.
Such a problem is not there with the regular tablet.
Regular tablet can be crushed or chewed or even cut into half and then given.
It would be better to cut into half and then given so that person can swallow it easily.
I hope it helps however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks
Detailed answer....
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
You see the problem is with the extended release tablet and not a regular tablet.
An extended release tablet is designed to release the medicine over a period of next 12 hours. If such a tablet is crushed or chewed you would get an overdose of medicine.
Such a problem is not there with the regular tablet.
Regular tablet can be crushed or chewed or even cut into half and then given.
It would be better to cut into half and then given so that person can swallow it easily.
I hope it helps however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
How do I know if it is "a regular" tablet? It has a mark that split the pill in half and has the number 4839 and a V on the tablet.
How do I know if it is a regular pill? She is supposed to take one to two pills every 4 to 6 hours. As stated the pill has a mark down the middle the number 4839 at the top and a v on the bottom.
How do I know if it is a regular pill? She is supposed to take one to two pills every 4 to 6 hours. As stated the pill has a mark down the middle the number 4839 at the top and a v on the bottom.
Hello,
If the tablet is extended release then medicine bottle or strip would be marked either ER ( extended release ) or SR ( sustained release ) and moreover SR or ER tablets are always given in 12 hourly dosage.
Tablet in your case is not SR or ER because your doctor has prescribed it to be taken every 4 to 6 hours.
Yours is a regular tablet and can be easily split and given.
Thanks
If the tablet is extended release then medicine bottle or strip would be marked either ER ( extended release ) or SR ( sustained release ) and moreover SR or ER tablets are always given in 12 hourly dosage.
Tablet in your case is not SR or ER because your doctor has prescribed it to be taken every 4 to 6 hours.
Yours is a regular tablet and can be easily split and given.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Thank you!!!!!!!!!
Hello,
You are most welcome to ask any query any time.
Thanks
You are most welcome to ask any query any time.
Thanks
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
