Cutting Tablets In Half.

[derekpara]

Bit of a hypothetical question but if I take just half a tablet of, say, Co-codomol, or other medication would it :

a. Give me half of its intended effect for the whole of its usual time ?

b. Give me its full effects for half the usual time ? Or

c. Both the above or something else ?

Cheers.

D

[cupid04]

Don't know the answer but you can get a little gadget from your chemist to cut the pills without making a mess.

[Marijn]

This doesn't answer your question either; but tablets with a coating on shouldn't be cut in half, because I think the coating is supposed to be there to stop the contents dissolving to quickly, (as some medication need that function).

[dannyk13]

I would think a. If you were prescribed half of your usual dose i am pretty sure that the time between dose would be the same i.e every four hours etc.

[ethelburga]

For anyone's interest. ...a good way to cut a tablet in half ....... as shown me by my vet ..... is to put it on a piece of blue tac and cut through with a knife!

[Old_Geezer]

I am also guessing but if it is a tablet that you are usefully able to cut I'd suggest a mixture of a and b.

The tablet would be absorbed at a rate proportional to the surface area. A half tablet would have slightly less surface area so the dose will be more gradual. But I suspect the main effect would be that it's period of efficacy would be shortened as it is used by the body.

[janbee]

I would assume A

[bednobs]

a. unless you cut a tablet that was in a slow release coating

[gingejbee]

Look at it another way....if you took two instead of one, you'd expect twice the effect for a little over the "normal" time.

[Sqad]

It depends upon what tablet you are considering as the answer would be different for differing types or groups of tablets.
Antibiotics.....analgesics ..... hypotensive agents......diabetic tablets.....diuretics......and so on ...and so on.

[gingejbee]

Must admit my answer was regarding painkillers, since co-codamol was mentioned in the OP.

[derekpara]

Thank you all for your answers.

As I say, it is just a hypothetical question and Sqad has probaly hit the nail on the head as usual, but let me take it a stage further - and still hypothetically, of course.

What if the tablet was a PDE5 inhibitor ?

[Baldric]

Viagra?

[derekpara]

Could be, but it does have other applications, I believe.

[Sqad]

\\\\Could be, but it does have other applications, I believe.\\\\

Yeah! right.

Impossible to answer, as it would vary between.........."clients."

If you could be more specific and get to your "hidden agenda"...we may be able to help...;-)

[Sqad]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Health-and-Fitness/Question1356316.html

;-)

[Sqad]

Hypothetically speaking ...you understand........one would only halve the dose of viagra of the response was prolonged, in which case halving the dose may halve the length of response, the reaction time remaining the same.

Unfortunately the human body does not necessarily follow the edict of scientific formulae and one may have to "try it and see."

[Baldric]

Sqad, would that make it semi-effective?

[Sqad]

Baldric.......LOL.......

\\\\Unfortunately the human body does not necessarily follow the edict of scientific formulae and one may have to "try it and see.\\\\

I was going to type "suck it and see" but changed my mind.

[derekpara]

The embryo humour developing towards the end of this thread gives a clue to my 'hidden agenda' Sqad.

A little humour is good for the soul.

Have a good weekend.

D

[wolf63]

Is Viagra the only drug that can be prescribed?