How To Cut A Pill

[237SJ]

I have to cut a 5mg Amlodipine tablet into quarters. They are quite little and rounded over the top. I have tried with a knife and managed to get the tablet in half (more or less) but they are so crumbly that I can`t get it into quarters. Should I use a razor blade?

[pixie374]

You can get pill cutters for a couple of pounds from the chemist.

[Old_Geezer]

Well, you can use almost anything really. Caffeine, Flour, Chalk, Talcum powder, Sucrose, Starch, Powdered milk...

[Mamyalynne]

Very difficult to get accurate quarters from such a pill, if the dose needs to be precise have a word with the pharmacist when you can.

Meanwhile just do your best.

[237SJ]

It does need to be accurate because it`s for a cat. I did see that Boots sell pill cutters. A friend has just told me to crush it and put it in the food but I expect it tastes bitter and the cat won`t eat it.

[pixie374]

Marmite sometimes works... :-)

[Davemano]

The pharmacists will give the cutters free because they advertising logo on them.

[EDDIE51]

^ ^ Just do not mention it is for cat!

[wolf63]

I use a little knife to cut my Prednisolone for young Francis, even though I only have to cut it in two I am sometimes left with crumbs. Getting the little illegitimate furrball to take the tablet is the hard bit.

Amlodipine comes in 2.5mg, you would only have to cut it in two. Ask the vet if accuracy of dosage is important, with Frankie's steroid it isn't.

[237SJ]

Wolf - my tablets are 5mg. The vet`s nurse managed to snap the tablet into quarters quite easily with her fingernails but my nails are soft so that`s not going to work.

[wolf63]

Ever feel it would be easier to adopt some kids? Alas the aren't always cute.

[237SJ]

Yesterday I managed to get one of the quarters into the cat. I put them in my hand with 3 Dreamies. This morning the cat got me up at 6.15 with her howling and I tried the same trick. The cat managed to eat the 3 Dreamies and spit out the quarter tablet. I managed to hide it in the jelly of her food pouch. I need to get this sorted before I go back to work so that the cat feeder can get her to take the tablet.

[wolf63]

I have been using Webbox strips to hide Frankie's tablet in - supermarkets do cheaper versions. The only problem is that sometimes they are dried out and the treat can't be concealed. It isn't a major problem.

I have to watch him eat them as he sometimes spits it out, his sister has almost eaten a couple.

The more insistent you are to force her to take it the more pig headed she will be. Remember that they are much smaller and less intelligent than you (I smothered at that comment) so you should win the battle.

:-)

[237SJ]

Wolf - did you see this? http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nature/Question1454179.html I`m so upset about it.

[-SharonA-]

I take these! Didn't know they're suitable for pets too!! Yes they are small. Mind you I have had these in different shapes, they do a long oblong one.

[tamborine]

Place pill in tspoon and cover with bottom of another tspoon, Squeeze together & divide as required.

[wolf63]

I hadn't seen that, my last cat was blind and deaf for some time. I had no idea until I caught him feeling his way down the stairs. As long as he could sniff his food out he was happy. Don't worry too much, it will be obvious to you if she isn't coping.

I am not 100% sure what your job (flying?) is but it can't help the situation when you have to go away. But cats adapt to most situations. My two are being too quiet just now.

[237SJ]

Wolf - I have cried buckets all over the cat since I found that she has detached retinas. I beat myself up that I didn`t take her to the vet`s straight away because there is some evidence that Amlodipine can repair a detached retina if caught early. The cat does seem to find her way around but I wouldn`t say she is happy. She used to be such a sociable cat and she followed me everywhere. Now she just sleeps on the settee and she doesn`t know me anymore. Breaks my heart.

[johnny37]

The pills also come in 2.5mg. easier to cut.